Children in Crumlin & Kimmage face growing dental health crisis

Eoin Hayes, Social Democrat candidate for Dublin City Council for the Kimmage-Rathmines local electoral area slammed the government for overseeing what he calls a “shocking” deterioration in access to dental care for pupils in Crumlin, Kimmage, and Rathmines.

“Parents and teachers alike will be shocked by latest data, released by the Social Democrats, that finds some pupils are not getting their first appointment until they are in fourth year of secondary school due to mounting waiting lists and a staffing crisis that has seen a 23 per cent reduction in the number of HSE dentists between 2006 and 2022.”, Hayes commented.

The Irish Dental Association found that despite 208,233 children being eligible for the scheme in 2023, only 104,488 were assessed by a public dentist. Fintan Hourihan, CEO of the Irish Dental Association said, “The HSE has failed to deliver in its duty to provide adequate care to patients under the Health Act. Over 50% of schoolchildren have been denied access to dental care under this scheme, which is an increase of 31% of lost appointments since 2019.”

“As a local representative, I will be a strong voice for children in our local community. In the face of today’s shocking statistics on the decline of dental care, we must commit to doing better. If elected, I will be putting pressure on the HSE by all means necessary to ensure access to dental health screening for all eligible pupils in the area.” Hayes commented.

Local school principal, Lesley Byrne, principal at local Clogher Road Community College, agreed with Hayes:

“The government’s inaction is failing pupils. Dentists are crucial caregivers, ensuring our most vulnerable receive essential dental care. The school screening service is vital for preventive dental care in children and missed appointments can cause irreparable harm to countless kids’ oral health. In my own school, I’m seeing the effects of this on students, and it’s just not good enough.”