Urgent action needed on dental care waiting times in Waterford

Waterford TD and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, Deputy David Cullinane has published new data received from the HSE that indicates Government failure is leaving children and families in Waterford waiting years for basic public dental care.

The data, contained in a Parliamentary Question reply from the HSE, stated that the waiting times for public dental services are 54 months in Waterford City and 48 months in Dungarvan/West Waterford. It states that children are now being called for screening who were in 6th class and 2nd class back in the 2021, underlining the scale of the backlog.

The Waterford TD said the situation is also serious for those with additional needs, with 45 people currently waiting for special needs dental treatment under general anaesthetic.

Teachta Cullinane said: “Waterford's children are being desperately failed by Government. Children in Waterford have to wait four to four-and-a-half years for a routine public dental appointment. Children are meant to receive an appointment during 2nd and 6th class, but they are only getting that appointment four years later. Children are only now being called for screening who were in 6th class and 2nd class back in the 2021."

“Behind these numbers are children in pain, parents forced into debt to pay privately and families with medical card entitlements that effectively mean nothing," said Deputy Cullinane.

"It is completely unacceptable that families are told to wait 54 months in Waterford City, and 48 months in Dungarvan and West Waterford, for care that should be timely and preventive," he added.

"This causes knock-on delays where a child has dental or orthodontic issues, and data I have previously published shows that these waiting lists are years-long too."

The Sinn Féin Deputy went on to comment: "“This is what happens when Government relies on a patchwork model and hopes the private sector will pick up the pieces; it doesn’t. The result is regional inequality and Waterford gets the worst of it."

“We also cannot ignore the pressure on those with special needs who are complex cases," he said.

"Dozens are waiting for dental treatment under general anaesthetic, mostly adults with special care needs including intellectual disabilities. These are not optional appointments. They are essential healthcare for people least likely to stand up for themselves."

He went on to suggest that the solution was simple: "The solution is simple: the Minister for Health must finally grasp the issue of dental reform, set clear targets and deliver real investment. That means a properly funded workforce plan to recruit and retain dentists, dental nurses, hygienists and support staff, and to expand training places substantially."

He said such measures were proposed by him in his party's health plan.

“It means rebuilding a strong public dental service in Waterford with proper school screening on schedule, directly employed dentists providing care, and extra capacity to clear the backlog so no child is left waiting years," said Deputy Cullinane.

“There are hundreds of people with special care needs waiting for dental treatment under general anaesthetic across the country, including 45 in Waterford," he added. 

"This specialist service needs a tailored plan to provide additional sessions and permanent capacity so vulnerable patients are not pushed to the back of the queue."

He said improvements will require transparency and accountability and won't happen "in a vacuum".

"The Minister should publish a time-bound plan for meeting existing promises on school screening and public dentistry, with maximum waiting times, quarterly reporting, and a clear commitment that no child will be left behind again," he said, before adding: “Waterford has waited long enough. The Government cannot continue to fail us. The Minister must act now.”