Sir, – The School Dental Screening Programme website states that, “dentists visit primary schools each year to see children in second, fourth and sixth classes. Children are examined and given a grade depending on how quickly the child needs treatment. The child is then referred to a local HSE dental clinic to receive treatment.”
My eldest daughter completed primary school in Galway last year. Not once during her eight years in primary school did any dentist ever visit. I spoke with a HSE dentist who said this is common in many schools in the west of Ireland.
In other parts of the country the scheme is only providing one of the three visits.
In 2019, The Irish Times reported that the Irish Dental Association (IDA) said increasing numbers of children are only being offered examination and dental care for the first time at sixth class – instead of at first or second, fourth and sixth classes.
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Meanwhile, in Dublin and certain other parts of the country, primary school children are receiving the full offerings of the programme. A case of all children are equal, but some are more equal than others?
Nothing to smile about in Galway. – Is mise,
PA DINNEEN,
Galway.