asked the Minister for Health the number of people on the waiting list for dentures in County Carlow.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Carlow Dentures List.
12.
The number of persons on the waiting list for dentures in County Carlow is about 230. Due to the shortage of dental staff the local health authority finds it necessary to restrict the supply of dentures to priority groups. Steps taken to fill the vacancy for a whole-time dental officer have not, so far, been successful but efforts to fill the vacancy will continue to be made.
Would the Minister undertake to do something urgently about this matter? It is a very long time outstanding and the waiting list is growing. Twelve months ago there were over 200 on it and there are now 230. Some of these people have been a number of years on the waiting list.
I am aware of the position. The position for a second dental officer has been approved and no one has been found. We also approved private dentists doing sessional business through the local authority and no one has been found. I am sending a dental officer of my Department to see whether we can secure a temporary appointment of a dental officer or obtain the services of private dentists on a part-time basis either from inside or outside the county. I am doing everything I can.
How long has the council been looking for the second dentist?
Some considerable time, I think.
Surely it is obvious some alternative effort must be made.
There has been a post for a whole-time dental officer vacant since March, 1968.
There have been 200 people waiting for dentures.
We cannot find anyone to fill the post. As the Deputy knows from my speech on the Health Estimate, the salaries for whole-time dental officers now approximate within reason to the salaries of whole-time dental officers in Great Britain, so it is not a question of salary. We just have not been able to fill the post.