Up to 20,000 children are on public waiting lists for orthodontic treatment, with many of them waiting up to five years for procedures, according to the Irish Dental Association (IDA).

New IDA President Dr Andrew Bolas said it was totally unacceptable in the 21st century that children were being denied treatment in this manner and that waiting lists and waiting times were continuing to spiral.

Speaking at the IDA's annual conference in Killarney, he said the public health system only treated patients with severe dental problems, so the children on orthodontic lists had serious issues.

"In many cases their childhood is being blighted by these problems and the long delays for treatment."

However, Dr Bolas indicated that the problem may be even greater. "Tens of thousands of other children will not qualify for treatment and will either have to go without or pay for private treatment."

He said there was a totally inconsistent approach to school dental screenings.

"In theory, all children under 16 are entitled to receive dental health screening and preventive treatments. In all, they should be examined three times in primary school, but some children are only receiving their initial screening in sixth class."

Dr Bolas claimed the dental care system in Ireland, which was already reeling from cuts to medical card and PRSI entitlements, was now in danger of collapse due to chronic undertstaffing.