Vol. 501 No. 3
222 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a dentist will be appointed to the north Mayo area to deal with at least nine or ten national schools where children with dental problems are not being seen. [5806/99]
224 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made in securing a dentist for north Mayo, following the interviews held in 1998; the response, if any, to this vacancy from dentists outside of Ireland; if so, the progress, if any, made on their applications; and if any appointments were made. [5808/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 and 224 together.
The provision of dental treatment and the recruitment of dental staff in North Mayo are the statutory responsibility of the Western Health Board. I have had inquiries made of the Western Health Board. I understand that the Western Health Board placed advertisements for dental vacancies in all Western Health Board areas in October 1998 in several publications i.e. Irish Independent, Sunday Independent, Irish News and British Dental Journal.Applications were received expressing an interest in posts in Galway and Roscommon but unfortunately no applications were received for the Mayo vacancies which were advertised again on the 7 February 1999 in the same publications but to date there has been no response.
In order to ensure continuity of service, emergency cover is provided by the existing health board dentists to children in the affected areas. In addition the Western Health Board is at present examining the possibilities of engaging private dentists on a contract basis to provide services for children. I understand that the Western Health Board has made an agreement with a private dental practitioner in the Belmullet area to provide a service to second and sixth classes in one school on a pilot basis. If successful, this service will be extended to other schools in the area.
223 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if children in second and sixth classes are now being seen for dental examination. [5807/99]
The dental treatment services for children in national schools are being developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. For the past number of years health boards have been progressively adopting a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children and phasing out a demand led system. This is to ensure the optimum use of dental resources and equal access for all national school children to the same level of dental care.
The school-based approach puts an important emphasis on dental health education and prevention. Dental health education programmes are now available to all national schools. Children in second, fourth and sixth classes are targeted for preventive measures under the school based approach. Subject to available resources the children in these classes are screened and referred for treatment as necessary. The small number of children who require more frequent attention are identified and the required level of advice, check-ups, treatment, etc. provided as necessary.
Unfortunately, some health boards can have difficulty in filling dental posts in geographically remote areas and in fully implementing the school-based approach. I have asked my Department to explore with health boards ways in which it might be possible for the boards to provide an adequate dental service to children in areas which experience persistent recruitment difficulties.
