TD urges minister to take action to cut 7 year wait for dental care for Tipperary children

A TD has demanded “urgent action” by the HSE to recruit more orthodontic specialists to reduce the excessive wait of almost seven years children in south Tipperary are enduring to receive essential dental care.

Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy, who raised the crisis in public and dental orthodontic services with the Health Minister in the Dáil today (Thursday, March 26), has described the state of orthodontic services in south Tipperary as “deeply worrying and frankly shocking” with specialist orthodontist posts vacant for five years.

The Clonmel deputy said figures and information he received from the HSE reveal children in south Tipperary are waiting up to 82 months, which is almost 7 years, for orthodontic treatment, with hundreds more waiting years just for an initial assessment.

“Families will be appalled to learn that children in south Tipperary are being left waiting the best part of their childhood for essential orthodontic care. This is not a delay — it is a system failure,” he declared.

Deputy Murphy said the HSE confirmed:

1. There are no waiting list reduction targets in place for 2026 or 2027.

2. The service is operating with just 0.1 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Consultant Orthodontist cover for assessments in Clonmel.

3. A Specialist Orthodontist post has been effectively reduced from full-time to 0.6 WTE

4. Vacancies remain unfilled dating back as far as 2021

“It is extraordinary that in the face of such extreme waiting times, the HSE has set no targets whatsoever to reduce lists. That points to a lack of urgency and a lack of accountability,” the TD complained.

“Even more concerning is the admission that the waiting list will continue to grow over the next two years. That means children who are only now being referred may not be treated until they are well into their teens.”

“The HSE has acknowledged demand is exceeding capacity with more patients joining the waiting list than can be treated.”
Deputy Murphy said urgent action is required.

“We need immediate recruitment to fill long-standing vacancies, a clear recovery plan with measurable targets, and additional capacity put in place without delay.

“No child should be left waiting years for care that is critical to their health, confidence and development.”

The TD confirmed he will be raising the matter directly with the Minister for Health and pressing for an urgent intervention.