asked the Minister for Health if he will state the number of adult applicants in County Kerry awaiting dental treatment under the Health Acts; and if he will ask the local authority to transfer the school dentists to the work of clearing the arrears on the adult waiting list during the school holidays.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Kerry Dental Services.
I understand that the council has on hands about 1,300 applications from adults for dental services, of which about half are for dentures.
The council's existing staff is not adequate to provide a fully comprehensive dental service and, like other health authorities, they are concentrating on service for children. This is in accordance with the policy recommended to health authorities in the present stage of development of dental services.
The manner in which the services of the council's dental surgeons are to be utilised during the school holidays is a matter for the council. I understand, however, that it is usually found possible to deal with more adult cases during school holidays when fewer school children come forward for treatment.