Kildare North TD is calling for action.
In the Kildare, West Wicklow and Dublin South West area HSE figures show 19,151 children waiting for a routine dental appointment.
The HSE is failing local children under the Health Act by not providing them with their statutory entitlement of routine dental screening in primary schools, according to Sinn Féin TD for Kildare North.
Reada Cronin is calling on the government to act immediately to rescue the situation.
According to figures released to Sinn Féin, almost 100,000 children across the state are facing these delays.
“It is utterly disgraceful to let these children wait like this for a routine dental appointment.
"It makes no health sense for the child and no financial sense for the state, because while they are not seen any dental situation they might have is worsening and will need more work," she said.
“Childhood is not all sunshine and roses for children. It can be extremely tricky for some and trying to navigate this in a pandemic and with bad teeth is an unnecessary burden to place on any child.
"There are many hardworking parents who can’t afford the dentist.
"Their children should not be left with poor oral health and embarrassment about the state of their mouth because the HSE is lacking and the government has its priorities wrong.
“Prior to Covid, The Irish Dental Association (IDA) said that an increasing number of children are being offered examination and dental care for the first time only at Sixth Class – instead of in earlier years.
"Sixth Class is way too late," she insisted.
“This situation has been exacerbated by the impact of Covid.
“There are strong links between good oral health and good physical health, and it is vital that the HSE develop a contingency plan so children can receive this vital service.
“ We need an immediate contingency plan to treat them in the time of Covid. They have a right to these services under the Health Act," she added.
Reada Cronin spoke on this morning's Kildare Today:
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