asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of County Waterford (a) the present number of approved public dental officers, (b) the number of posts (i) filled permanently, (ii) filled temporarily and (iii) vacant, (c) the number of months each of the vacant posts has been unfilled, (d) the number of additional officers required, and (e) the number of school children awaiting dental treatment and the average waiting time between examination and treatment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Dental Officers.
38.
There are five approved wholetime dental surgeon posts in County Waterford, all of which are filled at present, four in a permanent capacity and one in a temporary capacity.
No proposal regarding additional dental staff has been received from Waterford Health Authority.
Detailed information as to waiting lists is not available in my Department. I have asked the health authority for a report and will furnish the information to the Deputy when it is received.
39.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of County Kerry (a) the present number of approved public dental officers, (b) the number of posts (i) filled permanently (ii) filled temporarily and (iii) vacant, (c) the number of months each of the vacant posts has remained unfilled, (d) the number of additional officers required, and (e) the number of school children awaiting dental treatment and the average waiting time between examination and treatment.
There are four approved wholetime dental surgeon posts in County Kerry. Three are filled in a permanent capacity at present, and one post which became vacant in June, 1966, has been filled in a part-time temporary capacity since 12th August, 1966.
In addition to these wholetime posts, Kerry County Council have arrangements with 18 private dentists to provide dental treatment for school children referred to them by the county council.
No proposal regarding additional dental staff has been received from Kerry County Council. I am informed that there is virtually no waiting list for dental treatment as school children are treated within a few weeks of being examined at school by the public dental officers.