Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Health Minister’s disputing claims that up to 10,000 children a year are having teeth removed under general anaesthetic across the country.
The figures – from the Irish Dental Association – would put the number of such cases here at five times the rate of the UK.
Galway has been listed among the ‘blackspots’ for dental care for school children.
The association claims it’s down to cutbacks and severe tooth decay as many children don’t see a dentist until they’re five or six years old.
But Minister Leo Varadkar says he wants to see the evidence for the figures because what he’s been shown says something different:
The HSE says it will commence a national audit on general anaesthetic waiting lists for children – and for those with special care and special needs.
President of the Dental Association Dr Anne Twomey says education and dental care during school years are lacking in many areas such as Galway.