Number of Cork children treated by school dentists falls dramatically

The number of children being treated in Cork under the school dentail service has fallen dramatically since the pandemic.

Between 2017 and 2024, the number of people with special care needs treated by Cork primary care dentists fell by 36%. HSE data shows that 13,300 patients were seen in 2024, and 12,099 in the first 11 months of 2025. This compares with 20,769 children seen in 2017, 18,931 in 2018, and 17,222 in 2019. But for 2020 and 2021, the figures were just under 7,000 and 7,364, due to the pandemic, and they have not returned to their previous levels. The HSE said that the number of clinicians had also decreased.

The HSE Primary Care Dental Service provides dental treatment to eligible children, medical-card holders, adults and children with special needs, and others in the care of the HSE.

The service’s school programme screens second and sixth classes.

DATA

HSE data provided to The Echo revealed that of the children and special-care needs patients screened in 2024, 4,938 were seen in Cork North Lee, 3,718 in Cork South Lee, 3,675 in North Cork, and 1,033 in West Cork in 2024.

In 2025, to the end of November, 4,102 children were seen in North Lee, 3,860 in South Lee, 3,379 in North Cork, and 758 in West Cork.

A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: “Unfortunately, there has been a decrease in the number of clinicians operating the service, due to staff retirements and resignations, which has had an impact on service delivery. However, recruitment is currently under way to fill vacant dental-surgeon posts.

“Each location also provides an emergency dental service for children under 16 years of age, with same-day emergency dental care in the majority of cases.

“The HSE continues to prioritise the provision of emergency dental care, care for children with additional needs, and school dental services within available resources.”