Between 15,000 and 20,000 children are on waiting lists for orthodontic treatment, according to the new president of the Irish Dental Association.
Dr Andrew Bolas said many of them are waiting for up to five years and he blamed the delays on Government cutbacks.
He said the system is in danger of collapse because of under-staffing and cuts to the medical card and PRSI schemes.
He said it is unacceptable that in 21st Century Ireland children are being denied orthodontic treatment, with waiting lists and waiting times continuing to rise.
Dr Bolas said the children on waiting lists have serious issues and in many cases their childhood is blighted by these problems and the long delays for treatment.
He said 28 dentists and nine dental nurses, who took early retirement in February, have not been replaced because of the moratorium on the replacement of frontline staff.
