Fitzpatrick demands action on Louth dental crisis as solutions are promised

Dundalk TD Peter Fitzpatrick has called for immediate action to address the severe lack of dental services in Louth and surrounding areas. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Fitzpatrick highlighted the particular strain on orthodontic care and the difficulties faced by medical card holders in accessing basic dental services.

“It is widely known there is a significant lack of dental services across many parts of Ireland,” Fitzpatrick said.

“There are particular challenges in my constituency of Louth, especially concerning access to orthodontic care.”

Deputy Fitzpatrick referenced the shortage of specialists as a key issue, noting that despite the HSE’s efforts to reduce waiting lists, the lack of available professionals means people are waiting far too long for treatment.

"While I acknowledge the HSE's national service plan for 2024 continues to support service development and initiatives to reduce waiting lists for dental and orthodontic care, the shortage of specialists means my constituents are not receiving timely treatment,” he said.

The Louth TD shared a specific example from earlier this year when a local resident inquired about the lack of orthodontists in the county.

“In June, one of my constituents inquired about the lack of orthodontists in Louth and was told there was nothing in the pipeline with respect to interviews or a potential replacement orthodontist,” Fitzpatrick explained.

“Even if there was one appointed today, they would not be in place for six months.”

Beyond orthodontic care, Fitzpatrick voiced concerns over a growing issue for medical card holders in his constituency.

“I have been contacted by numerous concerned constituents who have been refused dental care at their regular practice due to their medical card status. Medical card holders have been cut in half,” he said, calling on the government to act.

“Will the Minister ask Deputy Donnelly to contact the providers and put in place an effective plan, resources, and funding so that people in Louth, east Meath, and across Ireland get the service they deserve?”

In response, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers acknowledged the shortage and assured Fitzpatrick that plans are underway to increase capacity within the dental workforce.

“I am aware there is an issue with the shortage of dentists, especially those providing community dentistry across our country, and the Deputy has referenced Louth and east Meath as an example,” Chambers said.

To address the issue, the Minister outlined current efforts to increase the number of dental graduates and expand healthcare education places.

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“We have a lot of plans ongoing to increase the supply of qualified healthcare graduates in dentistry and the respective therapy disciplines, so we have increased the pipeline of workers who can provide that service,” he said.

Chambers noted that these efforts are being coordinated between the Department of Further and Higher Education and the Department of Health.

“There have not been sufficient dental graduates to meet the level of demand, especially in community dental services,” he admitted.

He assured Fitzpatrick that the government is advancing plans to build future capacity.

“That is why the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, is advancing plans to increase the wider capacity through strengthened numbers when it comes to new hire education healthcare places. That will make a difference for the future,” Chambers concluded.