Dentists have warned that delays in access to oral surgery treatment are exposing patients to unnecessary risk from overuse of antibiotics.

The Irish Dental Association (IDA) annual conference in Kilkenny was told that while the HSE advises people not to over-use antibiotics, many patients are being forced to rely on these drugs for prolonged periods due to long delays in accessing oral surgery.

Dr Ryan Hennessy of the IDA said dentists regularly advised patients that taking an antibiotic was not an alternative to effective treatment of underlying oral health problems. While antibiotics may improve the symptoms of dental issues, they did not remove the cause, he said.

"It is therefore alarming that due to HSE delays in arranging necessary treatment for patients who require specialist oral surgery, patients must repeatedly take multiple prescriptions of antibiotics prescribed by their dentist or doctor to help control recurrent infections."

Dr Hennessy said this was directly linked to cutbacks in preventative treatments and staffing.

"We have seen a 20% net reduction in dental staffing in the dental services provided directly by the HSE over the past four years."

"However, the fact that patients are being forced to use antibiotics for prolonged periods is exposing them to unnecessary health risks which are not acceptable,"Dr Hennessy said.

The IDA called on the Minister for Health to insist that maximum waiting times be introduced in order to safeguard the health of patients referred for specialist oral surgery.

The issue is to be raised with the Minister of State for Primary Care, Alex White when he attends the IDA conference tomorrow.