Stephen Donnelly has described the state of public dentistry in Ireland as “not fit for purpose” and promised a review. 

Acknowledging that people with medical cards face particular problems getting dentist appointments, Minister Donnelly urged dentists to "re-engage" with the public dental treatment scheme.

“There will be a review of the dental treatment, there has to be,” he said.

“There are parts of it that are not fit for purpose but, in the meantime, we have patients who cannot afford private fees charged.”

A dentist examining a patient. Image: JOHN KELLERMAN / Alamy Stock Photo

Yesterday on The Pat Kenny Show, Irish Dental Association CEO Fintan Hourihan said the shortage of dentists in Ireland is a “real scandal”. 

He also said it is now “quite unusual” for children to receive regular appointments.

“Since 1994, there has been a policy that primary school children should be seen three times before the age of 12,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.

“[It was] usually second, fourth and sixth class where they’re screened, they meet the dentist, the parents are often involved as well and what we’ve seen over the last 10 years is that number of patients and number of children has increased by a quarter, the number of dentists has fallen by a quarter.

“We have a huge shortage in the service.”

Mr Hourihan said there is a shortage of dentists “all over the country” but said it was particularly acute in the counties of Laois and Offaly.

Main image: Split of Stephen Donnelly and a dentist.