The data showed that the average wait time in the HSE South West region, made up of Cork and Kerry, for these adults with additional needs requiring sedation was 12-18 months.

Mr Burke said that Ireland would have more qualified dentists and orthodontists if more places were made available to Irish students in UCC and Trinity College in Dublin where dentistry is being taught.

The Social Democrats TD has suggested that what he described as a crisis in GP provision was “another example of this government's over-reliance on private enterprise for public need”.