The State’s public dentistry system is “failing to consistently meet the needs of all children”, a report from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has said.
There are more than 11,000 children on waiting lists for dental or orthodontic care across the country, with 8,000 of those waiting longer than two years, according to the document, published on Thursday.
More than 105,000 (50 per cent) primary schoolchildren have not received targeted dental screening despite the State’s statutory obligation to provide it.
The ombudsman’s office expressed concern that children from poor communities or those deemed vulnerable, those with additional needs, and families who cannot afford private treatment are “disproportionately affected when public dental services are unavailable or delayed. For these children, public dental care is their only realistic route to care.
“The evidence examined by the OCO points to a system characterised by long waits, uneven access, insufficient capacity, inconsistent data and inadequate communication with children and families.”
It added: “Most importantly, the system does not consistently recognise that a child’s clinical need can change while they wait.”
The report highlighted the story of Lucy, who entered the public dental system as a child with an identified and treatable need.
She was marked as requiring the highest category of orthodontic treatment and was advised the waiting list would be two years. Five years later, she was still on a list.
“She reached adulthood still waiting and with a substantially more complex treatment requirement and the psychological impact of years of unmet need,” the report concluded.
The ombudsman’s office made recommendations to Government to ensure the public dental system met the needs of all children.
Among these recommendations is the establishment of a time-bound reform plan. This would target the greatest gaps, clearing the screening backlog, and reassessing children over time, among others.
Irish Dental Association president Bridget Harrington-Barry called on the Government to invest in the public dental workforce.
“In my own clinic in University Hospital Galway, we have since last year ring-fenced beds for paediatric special care patients,” she said.
“It has been highly successful in reducing waiting lists and avoiding the cancellation of vital procedures,” she said, calling for this to be rolled out countrywide.
“It is now well established that poor oral health outcomes can have serious impacts on the lifetime overall health outcomes of our patients,” she added. “We look forward to engaging with Government on these issues … as we seek an oral health policy framework which best serves the children of Ireland.”
The Health Service Executive over the next two years intends to “stabilise services, reduce waiting times, and measurably improve access for patients, while laying the groundwork for longer-term reform”, said a spokeswoman.
“Collaborative work will continue to develop other actions outlined in the policy that were not included in the initial two-year oral health action plan.”