asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the long waiting lists for dental treatment in County Kildare, and if he proposes to improve the position regarding continuing shortage of staff and increasing demand for treatment.
Written Answers. - County Kildare Dental Treatment.
199.
The waiting times for dental treatment in County Kildare are:
Adults: up to 10 months
Children: up to 6 months, depending on which dental clinic the child attends.
The approved dental staff complement for County Kildare is five full time dental officers. At present four of these posts are filled, one on a part time temporary basis. Whenever vacancies occur in any of their community care areas the Eastern Health Board request the Local Appointments Commission to recruit suitable replacements and this is the position at present in relation to the vacant permanent posts in County Kildare. Due to the embargo on the creation of additional posts in the public service generally it is not possible at present to increase the level of dental staff for the county. However, every effort is made to ensure that in so far as possible the level of staffing is maintained at the approved level.