INDEPENDENT TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has pressed Government on its plans to address unacceptable waiting lists for orthodontic services.
Addressing the Tánaiste in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said, “Following on from our private members debate, where I raised the chronic state of medical waiting lists, I want to talk about the specifics of orthodontic services in Donegal.
“My office is dealing with a number of cases, and recently constituents have written to me stating the following:
“‘My 14-year-old daughter has now been two years on the waiting list, just to be assessed for braces, and was told that when she went on the waiting list, even after assessment, she could be another two years waiting for treatment. This is seriously affecting her self-confidence and getting her down.’
“Another one wrote: ‘My 16-year-old daughter has been referred and waiting for an assessment by an orthodontic consultant for almost four years.’
“This surely is unacceptable, Tánaiste,” the deputy said. He raised the issue today during questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “They’ve been told that no assessments have taken place there since last March, that they don’t even have the necessary equipment to do the assessments anyway, nor do they have the necessary and dedicated accommodation to provide the service.
“Tánaiste, my question is: Do you think that’s acceptable for the people of Donegal and what are you going to do about actually rectifying the situation?”
In his response, the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, said he did not have the specifics in respect of every county at hand but said orthodontics have always been challenging, notwithstanding the unprecedented funding allocated to the sector.
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