The HSE has admitted that up to 43 children may have been treated with drain cleaner at an Ennis dental clinic, instead of approved dental products.

The clinic on Bindon Street in Ennis has been temporarily closed following the incident over the past two days.

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HSE Mid West Community Healthcare is currently in contact with the parents of up to 43 children, to establish if they were affected by an apparent problem at the HSE Dental Clinic in Bindon Street in Ennis.

Five of the centre’s six surgeries were in operation on Wednesday when the incident is believed to have happened, and treatment continued until the problem was detected yesterday.

The HSE has told Clare FM that early indications, yet to be confirmed, suggest that a drain cleaning product was mixed with water used during treatment, when normally the water would be mixed with an approved dental product.

The surgeries are closed today for corrective action and it is hoped they will be back in operation by Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning.

The HSE Mid-West Chief Officer is apologising for concern or upset caused to the children and their families, saying it’s “regrettable and unfortunate”.

Bernard Gloster says they’re taking all necessary steps to ensure patients and their families are supported and have adequate information.

A full review is being carried out to establish all of the facts.

Statement from HSE Mid West Community Healthcare

Commenting in the incident HSE Mid West Chief Officer Bernard Gloster said “this is so regrettable and unfortunate. I want to apologise for any concern or upset caused to the children and their families. We are taking all of the necessary steps to ensure they are supported and have adequate information. We will be conducting a full review to establish all of the facts. I am grateful to all of our management staff and clinicians who worked very hard late into last night to respond to this incident ”