No child will be left without urgent dental treatment – Byrne

Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has today (Tuesday) reassured parents that no child will be left without urgent dental treatment in the wake of the closure of the dental service at St. James’s Hospital.

“I was very concerned to hear about the removal of dental services from St. James’s Hospital, but the HSE have assured me that no child will be left waiting, where urgent dental treatment is needed.

“In the wake of the announcement I spoke to the HSE Area Manager for Dublin South Central who explained that the decision to close the service at St. James’s Hospital was taken due to the sub-standard nature of the building, which was not suitable for carrying out general anaesthetics.

“The Area Manager assured me that no child in need of urgent dental treatment will be left without a service. Any child in need of urgent dental treatment can go to their local HSE Health Centre where they will be assessed by a dentist and then referred on for treatment where necessary.

“The HSE is actively seeking suitable new premises for the dental service, and details will be announced in the next month or so. I am satisfied that the service will be up and running again by the New Year.

“In the interim, the HSE will fund treatment in either the Hermitage or the Beacon, for Dublin-based children, and in Clane for children from Kildare and surrounding areas.”