asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for dental treatment in the Mid-Western Health Board region; and if he will make arrangements whereby a satisfactory dental service will be made available to the people of the area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dental Treatment.
47.
Responsibility for making arrangements for the provision of dental services for eligible persons in the Mid-Western Health Board area rests with the health board.
As the board's dental staff is not yet sufficient to provide adequate treatment services for all eligible persons in its functional area, its staff are concentrating mainly on services for children rather than adults. I am advised that, in general, there is very little waiting time for extractions for children or adults. The waiting period for conservative treatment, mostly fillings for children, varies considerably over the board's area—from almost a month or less in Tipperary North Riding to several months in other parts of Mid-Western area with priority being given in special cases. The average waiting time for dentures for adults is about four to six months in Clare and North Tipperary and about 12 months in the Limerick area.
The board will continue its policy of improving dental services for eligible persons as its resources permit.