In Waterford, an autistic boy finally received a much-needed dental appointment after the Irish Prime Minister intervened, highlighting the long waits for dental care for children with special needs.
Seven-year-old Tiernan Power Murphy had been told he would have to wait up to ten years to see a dentist. He began experiencing toothaches last October, and the pain was so severe that he couldn’t go to school. Due to his autism, he had to be sedated for treatment.
After his father, Eamon, publicly expressed his frustration to the Irish Examiner in February, Prime Minister Micheál Martin promised action. Days later, Tiernan was flown to Cork for specialist treatment.
“Thank God, he’s recovering well now,” Eamon recalled. “The staff in Cork took great care of him, and the treatment only took 20 to 25 minutes.” However, he noted that the child still remembers the pain and fears it would happen again.
Eamonn welcomed the opening of a special needs dental clinic at Kilkenny Private Hospital in April, but warned that other families still face long waits. For example, he knows of another child nearby who was only booked for an October appointment last week.
Catherine Whelan, headteacher at Mount Sion Primary School and a Sinn Féin councillor, also noted that many vulnerable children are waiting for dental care. “Waiting lists remain very long, with some waiting six months to a year. This is far too long for children who are suffering.”
HSE Dublin South-East announced an agreement with Aut Even Hospital on April 10 to operate a monthly dental clinic specifically for special needs patients, offering treatment under general anesthesia.
The clinic has already completed three procedures under general anesthesia, treating five patients each time, and plans to increase the number of clinics.
Meanwhile, patients from Waterford and the surrounding area will continue to be referred to Cork University Dental Hospital. Data shows that 239 patients were referred in Waterford and Wexford last year, and 175 so far this year. Similar figures are being seen in South Tipperary, Carlow, and Kilkenny.
Despite the improvements brought about by the new clinics, experts and parents agree that waiting months for treatment remains an unacceptable challenge for children experiencing severe pain.