asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there is serious deterioration in youths' teeth between the ages of 14 and 16 years after they finish school dental treatment and before they become insured workers; and if he will make special arrangements for persons faced with this problem.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Treatment.
178.
Children between the ages of 14 and 16 years who are dependants of persons in the lower income group continue to be eligible for free dental services after they leave national school. Other children are not so entitled and while I agree that it would be desirable, if it were possible, to provide a dental service for them, I consider it best to bring the dental services for the classes at present eligible for them up to a satisfactory level before further extending the availability of the free services.