More than 100,000 children missed out on school dental checks last year
More than 100,000 children missed out on school dental checks last year
More than 100,000 young children lost out on school dental checks last year amid growing concerns by dentists about levels of tooth decay. Children should have their teeth assessed and treated by a HSE public dentist in second, fourth and sixth class in primary school.
But a shortage of at least 75 of these dentists due to the HSE recruitment embargo means that out of 208,233 children eligible for screening, only 104,488 were seen last year.
The fall-off in screenings that leaves children at higher risk of tooth decay and life-long dental problems is revealed today at the annual meeting of the Irish Dental Association (IDA).
