Skip to content

Autistic girl waiting in pain set to get tooth out

Columba Mailey Maisie is sat in the back seat of a car. She has curly brown hair and is wearing a pale flowery rain coat. She has her right hand index finger in her mouth, pointing at her small tooth. Columba Mailey
Maisie's father Columba said the surgery is due to take place in late November

The father of a five-year-old autistic girl - who was originally told she would have to wait more than a year to get a tooth removed - has now been told she will have surgery next month.

Columba Mailey told BBC News NI he was “incredibly delighted” his daughter Maisie’s tooth is set to be removed next month.

Maisie is unable to get her tooth out in a traditional dentist and has been attending the Community Dental Team at the Western Trust's Gransha Park site.

The family, from Greysteel in County Londonderry, were initially told there would be a year-long wait for treatment, but on Tuesday the Western Trust told them the tooth will be removed on 28 November.

“She has been in severe pain, so this is great news, and I’m glad I spoke out in the media,” Mr Mailey said.

“Her surgery is still a few weeks away, but there’s so much relief that she won’t have to suffer beyond 28 November."

He added: “It was also raised in the assembly chamber by MLAs, so it’ll be interesting to see what is done now for all the children out there who are waiting in pain.

“I hope the trusts get more funding and more facilities and staff to help alleviate the waiting lists.”

Mr Mailey had also made attempts to find treatment for his daughter in the private sector.

“We had no joy in the private sector either as many didn’t want to put Maisie under general anaesthetic.

“I tried private places across Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, but it wasn’t straight forward.

“Paying for surgery wouldn’t have been an issue, but it’s a sticking plaster. It doesn’t fix the long-term problem.”

Columba Mailey Columba and Maisie together on a grey sofa, Columba is smiling and wearing a grey sweatshirt and Maisie has her mouth open wide while wearing a pink sweater Columba Mailey
Maisie has been in severe pain but she will have to wait another while to have her tooth removed

After he first spoke to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today, Mr Mailey said he was inundated with messages from hundreds of people across Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health (DoH) said waiting times for tooth extractions depend on a number of factors, including access to theatre space, the number of referrals, and the availability of staff.

'Staff do their best'

A spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust has told BBC News NI: “Community dental staff will do their best to offer an urgent appointment to children experiencing dental pain.

“We apologise to our patients and families who are waiting longer than we would like for treatment.”

BBC News NI has asked the department for the number of children waiting for dental surgery in Northern Ireland.