Anger After Athy Dental Clinic Closes
The residents of Athy, Ireland, are in uproar after the Health Service Executive confirmed that the dental clinic at the Athy Health Centre has closed for good.
The HSE said that the clinic had to close as a result of ‘staffing issues’ and there are now no HSE services in Athy. Residents have been informed that they must now pay for private dental care, which is beyond the means of many people.
The HSE has confirmed that all services at the clinic will be suspended until further notice and parents have also received a letter stating that if their child has not yet received an appointment for their 2nd or 6th class check they will not be getting an appointment and parents must make their own arrangements.
The letter also stated that school services for the September 2012 to September 2013 will be suspended; children under 16 will be entitled to emergency dental care at any HSE clinic in the country but other children have been advised to seen private treatment.
Thomas Redmond, local town councillor, said that it is very disappointing that the Athy clinic has been closed and called for it to re-open as soon as possible so that children can access routine dental care; without the clinic, Mr Redmond said that it is certain that their health and well-being will be affected. Mr Redmond said that he will be contacting the HSE to obtain details about any other expected closures.
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