Some children in Tipperary are having to wait until they’re 12 to have their first check-up from the dentist.
Under the current HSE scheme, children should get their first free check up in second class – and should be seen a couple of times before they turn 16.
However, the Irish Dental Association says the delays are because of a staffing crisis in the Public Dental Service, and that the system is facing collapse unless an extra 150 dentists are recruited.
Aidan Burke from Thurles Dentist.ie says sixth class can be too late to prevent decay.
