Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 May 2024
31. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the difficulties experienced by the HSE community dental service in recruiting staff; the measures that are being taken to reduce the long wait times for children awaiting orthodontic treatment in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19914/24]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment for patients who are referred by a HSE dentist for assessment before their 16th birthday and who are assessed by the HSE as having the highest level of clinical need.
The HSE has been supported through sustained investment to address orthodontic treatment waiting lists through private waiting list initiatives. Last year, €10m in one-off funding was made available to support two relevant initiatives. Over 2,000 patients nationally who were suitable for care in a community setting were removed from the HSE’s orthodontic treatment waiting list, through the continuation of an existing initiative.
In addition, a new orthognathic (jaw) surgery waiting list initiative commenced in September 2023. These are complex surgeries which require a lengthy hospital stay. This year, a further €3.35m is being invested this year on a one-off basis to support both initiatives. Up to the end of March this year, 20 patients have received orthognathic surgery to date and 156 patients have been transferred into private orthodontic care nationally.
Patients in the South orthodontic region, which includes counties Cork and Kerry, have benefitted from this investment. 121 South patients were transferred to private orthodontic care last year, as were a further 15 between January and March this year. This is in addition to the 1,930 patients in active treatment in the HSE in the South at the end of last year.
My Department engages with the HSE on an ongoing basis to understand the challenges arising in the provision of oral healthcare services, including to consider the dynamics in staffing levels across the service and to examine whether there are any apparent staff retention issues. Implementation of the National Oral Health Policy is proceeding and a plan for the 2024-2026 phase of implementation is in preparation between my Department and the HSE, for targeted consultation and then publication in Q3. The plan will set out a phased approach to the reorientation of the HSE’s oral healthcare and orthodontic services and the associated strategic workforce planning elements.
