The tooth hurts!

< DAN DOONER

Independent TD Denis Naughten told the Dáil last week of a local family carer who could not find a dentist in Roscommon, Mayo or Leitrim that would take her medical card.

Describing the “deplorable situation within the public dental service”, Deputy Naughten said the woman told him she “felt like she was begging” in order to receive treatment.

“Mary is a single parent with two adult children for whom she is their primary carer. She put it to me that it is not easy to survive on her welfare payments,” he said.

“She is someone who worked all

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her life. She was forced out of employment back in 2015. She paid all of her taxes like everyone else. She said she felt like she was begging to get the help she urgently needs”.

Another example given involved a man with an intellectual disability, who ended up in the A&E at University Hospital Galway with facial swelling, hallucinations, and confusion due to his dental issues, despite being on an emergency waiting list for over two months.

Deputy Naughten said the situation for children is just as bad, with many missing out on vital checkups.

“Just 499 primary school children in County Galway had such a