Teenagers' teeth are rotting, say dentists
Friday April 24 2009
THREE out of four Irish 15-year-olds now have rotting teeth, according to dentists.
The Irish Dental Association (IDA) also warned that government cutbacks were having a major impact on the oral health of children.
IDA official Rosarii McCafferty said fewer schoolchildren would be able to afford to see a dentist in the future.
The association, which represents nearly 80pc of the country's 1,750 dentists, is holding its four-day annual conference in Kilkenny.
Dr McCafferty, who is president of the IDA's Public Dental Surgeons Group, said: "Unfortunately, the public dental service has suffered badly from the recruitment embargoes imposed by the HSE."
The IDA recommended that parents should avoid giving their children sugary foods and choose healthy snacks instead.
- Senan Hogan
