The waiting list of patients seeking dental surgery in hospitals has exceeded 13,000 in Ireland.

That is according to the Irish Dental Association (IDA) who say “barely anything has been achieved” by Government after they launched the ‘Smile & Sláinte’ oral health policy in 2019.

The policy intended to improve access to oral healthcare but there are now 4,342 children and special care patients waiting for procedures that require general anesthetic in Ireland.

A further 9,345 people are on acute hospital lists for oral surgery.

The IDA is calling for action and released its own position paper titled ‘Towards Sustainable Oral Healthcare Services’ which outlines a framework for the development of sustainable oral healthcare services.

No consultation

IDA President Dr Eamon Croke said the 'Smile agus Sláinte' plan is not working after it was launched with “no meaningful consultation with the medical profession”.

“It was developed in the absence of representative consultation with stakeholders, especially the dental healthcare professionals who deliver primary oral healthcare in Ireland,” he said.

“The measure of success for any policy, and indeed the WHO global oral health strategy, will be the extent to which we move away from disease management to active healthcare which prioritises prevention and reduces non-communicable diseases.

“Despite numerous requests, Department of Health officials have yet to explain to stakeholders, including dental healthcare professionals, how its vision may be enacted. It suffers from many issues including the absence of constructive road maps, financial responsibility and assurance.”

Upholding standards

Dr Croke said the Government needs to be more coordinated in upholding dental standards.

“At present, primary, secondary, and tertiary oral healthcare is being provided in spite of, rather than because of, active State investment and support,” he said.

“Our aim is to work cooperatively and in a coordinated manner with stakeholders to develop a sustainable oral healthcare system for the people of Ireland.

“Dentists stand ready to engage the government and Department of Health to reform our legislation, our public schemes and to improve oral healthcare services in Ireland," he added.

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