Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney has raised concerns with the HSE after it confirmed that County Clare has been without a specialist orthodontist for almost three years, despite a number of attempts to fill the role.
In a reply to a Parliamentary Question from Deputy Cooney, the HSE said the post has been vacant since July 2023 following the retirement of Dr Cahill. It confirmed that several recruitment campaigns have not succeeded in attracting a suitable candidate, and that it is now looking at options to recruit internationally.
The HSE also stated that there is currently no specialist orthodontist working in the Clare area.
Deputy Cooney said the situation is not acceptable for a county the size of Clare.
“Families need certainty and continuity when it comes to essential dental and orthodontic care. Leaving a post like this unfilled for almost three years is simply not good enough, and the HSE needs to treat it as a priority,” he said.
The HSE has said that patients from Clare are now being seen at the Orthodontic and Restorative Department at St Camillus Hospital in Limerick. It also confirmed that, at the end of February 2026, no patient from Clare was waiting for an initial orthodontic assessment, and that treatment waiting times are in line with those in Limerick and North Tipperary.
Deputy Cooney said that while this arrangement is helping in the short term, it is not a long-term solution.
“I welcome the efforts being made to ensure patients are being seen, but people in Clare should not have to travel outside the county for care on an ongoing basis. The priority must be restoring a dedicated orthodontist post in Clare,” he said.
He added that he will continue to raise the issue with the Minister and the HSE until the position is filled and has called for urgent progress on the international recruitment campaign, along with a clear timeline for when the role will be in place.