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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Jul 1966

Vol. 223 No. 13

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Louth School Dental Service.

24.

asked the Minister for Health if every school child in Louth County Council district has had an examination by a dental surgeon in the past 12 months; if not, what is the maximum delay; and when he expects that a full-time dental surgeon will be appointed.

Mr. O'Malley

There is no legal obligation on a health authority to provide dental examination and treatment services for every school child in its area each year.

Under existing statutory provisions, a health authority is required to provide dental treatment and dental appliances for pupils of national schools in respect of defects discovered at school health examinations. I am informed that in the year 1965, which is the latest year for which statistics are available, out of a total of 13,000 children attending national schools, 3,600 children were examined and 3,000 were treated by dentists employed by the health authority. I am also informed that the maximum interval between dental examination of school children is 3½ years.

The health authority employs two whole-time dental surgeons at present; a third post is vacant. This vacant post was re-advertised by the Local Appointments Commissioners recently. I am not in a position to say when an appointment to the vacancy will be made.

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