Vol. 525 No. 5
253 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no dentist in Kil lala, County Mayo since the last dentist retired 18 months ago and in view of the fact there is a fully equipped surgery available; and the further reason no replacement dentist has been found. [25471/00]
The provision of dental services to eligible persons in County Mayo is the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. The health board dentist who operated in Killala retired in September 1999 and the board has not yet filled the resultant post.
The board is currently experiencing difficulty in recruiting dentists to work in geographically remote areas such as Killala. The board is reviewing the situation in light of the restructuring of the health board dental services under which it might be possible to make posts in these areas more attractive by creating promotional outlets.
Adults who are eligible under the dental treatment services scheme in the Killala area are currently being treated by private dentists under an arrangement with the health board. Children from the area are being treated at the Ballina health centre which was the case prior to the retirement of the dentist in Killala.
The Western Health Board is satisfied that all eligible persons in the region have access to dental services.
