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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1975

Vol. 286 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Schools Dental Service.

11.

asked the Minister for Health the number of children attending national schools situated in the proposed Dublin, Finglas, constituency; and the number of whole-time dentists allocated to attend to their dental requirements.

Dental services for national school pupils in the proposed Dublin, Finglas, constituency are the responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. There are 11,980 children attending national schools in the area. Dental services are made available for these children by four whole-time dental officers of the Eastern Health Board at three health centres.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that that represents half the number which has been suggested as the ideal number? A ratio of 1,000-1,500 per dental officer has been recommended but the Parliamentary Secretary has told us that there are only four such officers for 12,000 children. Will he accept that the scheme is only half adequate?

Yesterday I accepted that the scheme was not as good as I should like it to be and I repeat that now. However, when one takes the average for the country, the Finglas area is not doing too badly.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that the World Health Organisation have recommended that children should get priority with regard to dental treatment irrespective of where they live?

I agree entirely. It is the practice of the Department of Health to treat children first.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that in their endeavours to provide this service the Eastern Health Board have been thwarted by the Department in so far as the Department have refused to provide for the additional officers who would be required?

Yesterday I mentioned that the number of whole-time dentists employed by the Department has doubled in the last few years.

Irrespective of what has happened, the position at the moment is that only half a service is being provided. Surely the Parliamentary Secretary will accept that there is a good case for his getting some of the money which his Minister has in order to provide this vital service?

I can assure the Deputy that this service is watched constantly by the Minister and myself.

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