David Cullinane, TD for Waterford and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, has brought forward a Dáil motion seeking major reform of dental care in Ireland.

He said his party’s proposals put a clear focus on cutting years-long waiting lists for children, developing public dental services, and reducing health costs for households.

Deputy Cullinane said that people in Waterford and the South East, particularly children, are the poorest served in terms of access to dental and orthodontic care in the State. Data provided by the HSE shows an average wait of 54 months for a public dental services appointment in Waterford City and 48 months in Dungarvan/West Waterford, and 960 children in the South East waiting over 2 years for braces.

Deputy Cullinane said:

“Our children need better dental services. It is unacceptable that children in Waterford must wait an average wait of 54 months for a public dental services appointment in Waterford City and 48 months in Dungarvan/West Waterford, and that 960 children in the South East waiting over 2 years for braces.

“Sinn Féin is calling for major reform of dental care in Ireland to improve access to a dentist when you need one and cut health costs for households.

“Government policy has failed to prioritise the development of public dental services or provide timely dental care for children. That must change. Children, adults, and families are being failed by the Government’s out-dated approach to dental care.

“Just one-third of dentists are providing care on the public dental treatment services scheme, and fewer than 1-in-10 dentists work for the HSE. Ireland has less dentists per head of population than any EU peer nation, at nearly half the EU average.

“Our motion this week sets out the necessary steps that must be taken to reduce years-long waiting lists for children who need preventive and corrective care; deliver good public dental services, including a public-only dentist contract; and ensure children get dental screening when they are in primary school.

“We are also calling for the public access Dental Treatment Services Scheme to be modernised and integrated with the GP Visit Card. Dental and oral health should be accessible to all on the basis of need, not ability to pay.

“The Government must engage with dentists to deliver fit-for-purpose, modern dental and orthodontic care model. The DTSS scheme is out-dated and limited only to medical card holders. To tackle rising costs for households, it must be extended to the GP Visit Card, which should be reformed to provide free primary care in line with the vision of Sláintecare.

“There are far too few dentists practicing in Ireland. There are approximately 2,500 practising dentists in the State, the lowest rate per population in the EU. That needs to increase by around 75% just to reach the EU average. Sinn Féin is calling for a strategic workforce plan including increased training places across dental care professions, an updated legal framework for dental practice, and streamlined access to allied dental care professionals such as hygienists and nurses to address this.

“Dental care is essential healthcare. Children should not be waiting years for braces and families should not be forced to pay privately for the Government’s failures. The Government must act now to build a modern, public, accessible dental service.”