Approved dental posts remain unfilled four months after recruitment go-ahead

Two vacant dental surgeon posts in Meath have still not been filled more than four months after the HSE was given approval to recruit the positions. Last October, public dental services were suspended in Trim, Enfield, Ashbourne, Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne because of the staff shortages, which prompted an angry backlash from parents around the county. The only public dental service that remains in operation is in Navan. Of the full complement of seven dental surgeons, four of these positions were vacant and, because of the Government's recruitment ban, the HSE could not fill the vacancies without the approval of the Minister for Finance. In November, approval was given to fill two of the four posts and the HSE stated that it would begin the recruitment process immediately and continue to pursue approval for the remaining two posts. However, Meath County Councillor and Trim Town Council cathaoirleach Ray Butler has hit out at the HSE for the delay in filling the posts and has questioned why it is taking so long. "How can it take so long? The HSE is fobbing us off for the last six months and we still haven't got a service back up and running. We were told the service would be back on a part-time basis in February or March but nothing has happened. They say they are still in the process of recruiting but I question why is it taking so long to recruit," said Cllr Butler. Last week, a HSE spokesperson said the positions had been advertised and the closing date for applications was 26th February 2010. She added that it is anticipated that appointments will be made in the April/May period, subject to the successful recruitment process being completed. "These appointments will facilitate the recommencement of dental clinics on a part-time basis in locations which have experienced temporary closures. It will not be possible to indicate a date of opening until the recruitment/appointment process has concluded," the HSE added. The spokesperson said that the school dental screening programme has commenced and it is planned to have all schools completed during the current academic year. Cllr Butler said there are still parents coming to the clinic at St Joseph's Hospital in Trim with emergency cases, not realising that it is closed. He added he knows people who work in St Joseph's Hospital and that the phone is constantly ringing in the dental clinic, but there is nobody there to answer it. "They are only seeing emergencies in Navan. If a child is already in the screening programme, they are being looked after. If they are not in the programme, nothing is happening," added Cllr Butler. "I want the HSE to do something. We have had enough of putting things in writing. We want action," he said.