Cavan-Monaghan TD Deputy Pauline Tully has called on the Minister for Health to take urgent and strategic action to reduce waits for dental care for children across the region.
The Sinn Féin TD said that public access to dentistry has rapidly decreased because of continued underfunding.
The local TD said there is a statutory requirement on the HSE for the delivery of dental services for children which is operated through a targeted, school-linked service, whereby children in primary school classes receive an oral health assessment.
In Sinn Féin's alternative budget 2023, it is proposed that a substantial increase in the number of dentists are brought on stream with 60 additional students.
Deputy Tully said they have also proposed a substantial increase in public dentistry provision, starting with screening in schools and dental care for children, as well as directly employed dentists to provide dental care for public patients.
