Sir, – The annual conference of the Irish Dental Association was held recently in Cork. Hundreds of Irish dentists attended. International speakers who addressed the conference presented strong evidence indicating that the maintenance of an infection-free mouth contributes to good general health. Analogously, chronic diseases, for example heart disease, are made worse by poor oral health.
Had Minister for Health Leo Varadkar attended, he might have been forced to reflect on the shameful neglect of the nation’s oral health by this Government. Lower socioeconomic groups suffer dental ill-health disproportionately. Prevention of disease is the key. In light of the evidence, it is now imperative for him to (among other things) institute a proper scheme to deliver oral healthcare for medical card holders, instead of the current shambles. – Yours, etc,
LIAM LYNCH, PhD
Dental Surgeon,
Cork.