Dick Spring
Question:139 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of school children in County Kerry awaiting dental treatment. [4198/01]
Written Answers. - Dental Service.
The provision of dental treatment services to eligible persons in County Kerry is the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board.
Health boards have adopted a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children. 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. Children in certain classes, usually in second, fourth and sixth classes, are dentally screened and follow up treatment is provided as necessary. Children who have attended national school retain eligibility up to their 16th birthday and treatment is provided within the resources available to the boards through an extension of the targeted approach. As the delivery of services to children is not demand led, patient waiting lists do not arise.
There are currently six vacancies for permanent dental surgeons in the Kerry area which both the health board and the Local Appointments Commission have been unable to fill either on a temporary or a permanent basis. This position has resulted in a severe curtailment of routine dental services in the county. Children presenting with pain, injury or sepsis are awarded treatment on a priority basis.