asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the disadvantage suffered by school children in rural areas as against school children in urban areas in respect of the operation of the school dental service scheme; the efforts he is making to remedy this imbalance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Dental Service Scheme.
500.
I am not aware of any great disadvantage to school children in rural areas as against school children in urban areas in the operation of the school dental service scheme. The screening of school children for dental defects is generally carried out on a rotation basis so that a similar period of time would elapse between screenings of pupils of schools in urban areas and those in rural locations within the same health board area. Neither group is afforded preference over the other in the delivery of dental treatment by health board dentists. Children attending schools in rural areas may have to travel further than their counterparts in urban schools to avail of dental treatment but this is unavoidable.