Children in the greater Dublin area are facing a wait of up to eight years to be assessed and treated for orthodontic problems, according to Fine Gael TD, Mr Jim O'Keeffe, writes Alison O'Connor.
The west Cork TD said yesterday these children faced a delay of up to six years just to be assessed, and a further two years on different waiting lists before they are treated. "In some instances, it is clear that schoolchildren will be out of their teens before they are reached on the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment.
"Many schoolchildren who need and are entitled to orthodontic treatment fall out of the system without any treatment whatsoever," he said.
In response to a Dail question, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, revealed that more than 30,000 children were on waiting lists and almost 10,000 were in the Southern Health Board area.
Mr Martin said children born in June 1997 were "presently being assessed". The subsequent waiting period for treatment was four years.
"What is clear, is that the targets set under the Dental Health Action Plan are not being achieved. It is also clear that the pace of that plan must be accelerated if any progress is to be made towards eliminating these horrendous waiting lists," said Mr O'Keeffe.
"Many parents are faced with the stark choice of continuing neglect of their children's teeth by the State or raising loans of up to £3,000 to pay private orthodontists. For many, loans of this size are out of the question."