AM Paul Davies has uncovered a crisis in orthodontic treatment in Pembrokeshire.
Youngsters face routine waits of three-years for orthodontic appointments and can then face 80-mile round trips for treatment.
The situation has got so bad that Mr Davies has asked for the Welsh Health Minister to investigate.
“I have been shocked by the acute shortage of orthodontic care for Pembrokeshire’s youngsters,” he said.
“Often it is very important that these children have their teeth improved before further problems are caused and yet some are having to wait until adulthood.”
Parents have told Mr Davies of:
- A boy of 15 who has been waiting for three years for treatment – he’s now 18 and still hasn’t been seen.
- A 17-year-old girl whose dentist had to request an “accelerated appointment” after she waited more than three years to get an initial consultation.
- An eight-year-old girl who, despite needing urgent attention, waited two years for treatment.
- A 13-year-old boy who had to make an 80-mile round trip for treatment once he was finally allocated an orthodontist.
- Three siblings who started to get private treatment because the wait was so long but had to stop going because of the cost.
- A 10-year-old girl who waited two years for an appointment but after two consultations the orthodontist retired, leaving her back at square one. To have the treatment privately would cost £2,500 which her parents could not afford.
“It is obvious that orthodontic care in Pembrokeshire is in crisis,” said Mr Davies.
He has now asked the Health Minister to issue a statement outlining what steps are being taken to address the problem.
