Waterford children waiting years for dentist appointments amid ‘third world figures’

Children in County Waterford are waiting years for dental appointments amid “third world figures”, a council meeting has heard.

A motion was brought forward on the subject at the March plenary meeting of Waterford City and County Council.

Proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Joeanne Bailey, the motion outlined the delays being experienced in the provision of dental services across the county.

It proposed that the Chief Executive, Sean McKeown, writes to the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, on behalf of the council and calls for her to take action.

The motion stated: “That Waterford City and County Council notes with serious concern the unacceptable waiting times for public dental services in County Waterford, as confirmed by recent Health Service Executive data, which shows that children in Waterford City are waiting approximately 54 months and children in Dungarvan and West Waterford are waiting approximately 48 months for routine public dental appointments.

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“This Council further notes that children who were eligible for dental screening while in 2nd and 6th class during the 2021/2022 school year are only now being called for assessment, highlighting a significant failure to provide timely and preventive oral healthcare.”

It also noted that 45 people in the county are awaiting special needs dental treatment under general anaesthetic.

After formally proposing the motion, Cllr Bailey outlined its significance, particularly as a parent of a young child herself.

She stated: “This motion really does speak for itself. The wait time for dental care in Waterford is too long.

“I was shocked to hear that children who were eligible for their dental screening in 2021 and 2022 are only being called now.

“I have a child in second class this year and if there isn’t action, he and his friends will not be called for their checkup until 2031.

“That means that they will be in first year of secondary school receiving their second class assessment.”

Cllr Bailey added that people want to know that the Minister for Health is taking the situation seriously and has a plan to alleviate the issues being faced.

The motion was seconded by her fellow Sinn Féin councillor Pat Fitzgerald, who said that the waiting times being experienced represented “third world figures”.

The motion was supported across the chamber, including by Social Democrats councillor Mary Roche, who described it as an “excellent motion”.

Meanwhile, Cllr Thomas Phelan and Cllr Eamon Quinlan each joked about their own “dental woes” as children.

Cllr Quinlan proposed a small amendment which would see Mayor Seamus Ryan also write to the Minister Carroll MacNeill. This was subsequently agreed to.

The motion was passed unanimously at the end of the discussion.