Following reports in the Irish Examiner earlier this week relating the HSE's policy statement sent to all dentists in the Sligo-Leitrim community care area that  warned ‘deciduous' fillings can no longer be provided on a routine basis, IDA president, Dr Billy Davis, said: ‘The IDA is increasingly concerned at recent Government decisions in respect of dental health, which are having the cumulative effect of undermining the substantial progress on dental health made in Ireland over the past 50 years.'

The IDA was already aware of the circular and has been waiting for a response from the HSE to its request for clarification for some weeks now. 



Dr Davis went on to state that the Association is adamant that the best interests of children attending for dental treatment must always be the highest priority.

The IDA and its members have pledged to remain available and willing to facilitate and advance research into issues relating to children's dental health in collaboration with the HSE.

Dr Davis commented: ‘HSE dental surgeons work in a difficult circumstances of limited resources, prioritising a preventive approach by early intervention in oral health programmes, use of fissure sealants, use of fluoride, and seeking to ensure that primary school children are dentally fit when they leave primary school.

‘The IDA has always stated that a properly resourced public dental service should continue to provide dental care to children, adolescents, and special needs patients.'