asked the Minister for Health the number of applicants at each centre in the Western Health Board region for dental treatment under the medical card scheme; the average waiting period of each applicant; and the steps he is taking to improve the situation.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Applicants.
96.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out below:
(1) Mayo:
|
Centre |
Adult Applicants |
|
Ballina |
750 |
|
Castlebar |
740 |
|
Swinford |
810 |
|
Claremorris |
715 |
|
Achill |
860 |
|
Westport |
690 |
|
Ballinrobe |
760 |
|
Charlestown |
430 |
|
Belmullet |
800 |
|
6,555 |
Average waiting period for adult applicants (dentures and extraction service); up to 3 years (Charlestown: up to 2 years).
Waiting list for general anaesthetic: Adults: 16.
Average waiting period: Adults: 2 months.
(2) Galway:
|
Centre |
Adult Applicants(Jan.—March 1978) |
|
|
Galway |
390 |
|
|
Aran Islands |
10 |
|
|
Carraroe |
80 |
|
|
Ballinasloe |
126 |
|
|
Clifden |
177 |
|
|
Loughrea |
220 |
|
|
Tuam |
188 |
|
|
1,191 |
||
|
1,904 |
carry-over from 1977 |
|
|
3,095 |
Average waiting period for adult applicants (dentures and fillings): 1 year.
Waiting list for general anaesthetic: Adults: 22.
Average waiting period: up to 18 months.
(3) Roscommon: Records are not readily available for the individual centres in Roscommon and figures are given in respect of the community care area as a whole.
Adult applicants: 680.
Average waiting period: 1 year.
General anaesthetic waiting list: Adults 37.
Average waiting period: 3 months.
There is no waiting period for casual extractions.
There is an emergency service in each area for the relief of pain and there is no waiting list in such cases.
I have indicated to the House as recently as 26 April last that it is my intention to work out a comprehensive development programme for dental services in consultation with the interested agencies. As I have also explained, this consultation process will be put in train immediately the new chief dental officer in the Department of Health is appointed. I anticipate that this appointment will be made in the very near future.
In the meantime under the 1977 job creation programme four additional dental officer posts and four posts of dental surgery assistant were sanctioned for the area and a further four posts of dental officer and four posts of dental surgery assistant have been sanctioned under the current job creation programme.