THE WAIT FOR dental surgeries in parts of the country has been slammed as ‘horrific’.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath says that he has been told by the HSE that delays in accessing orthodontic work in Tipperary can be as long as 41 months.

McGrath received the clarification from the HSE based on parliamentary questions he had put to the minister for health.

He says that the confirmation was ‘stunning’.

“When I received confirmation of these appalling waiting times I was genuinely stunned.

To be told in no uncertain terms that that there are 399 people in South Tipperary waiting 41 months for treatment simply beggars belief.

McGrath said that he knew of cases where young people were in “excruciating pain”, a situation he called “barbaric”.

He said that there were those who simply couldn’t pay the cost of works. He pointed out that the orthodontic budget for the south east is less than €1.5 million a year.

“We all know what it is like to have a toothache and how frustrating it can be and so I cannot even begin to imagine being subjected to a serious dental problem for up to 41 months.

“What I also found incredible is that the entire South East Regional Orthodontic Budget runs to a paltry €1.4 million. How can this level of under-investment in peoples health possibly be justified?”