asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in detail the orthodontic treatment facilities available to primary school children; and if he will further furnish (a) the number of orthodontists available to the primary school section; (b) the waiting period for orthodontic treatment for primary school children; and (c) the approximate number of primary school children waiting for such treatment.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment Facilities.
613.
Orthodontic treatment for primary school children is provided as follows: (1) By the full-time dentists employed by the health boards — usually following examination and the drawing up of a treatment plan by a visiting specialist orthodontist; (2) by orthodontists at the Dublin Dental Hospital; (3) by specialist orthodontists in private practice who provide the service on behalf of the health boards.
(a) There are approximately 20 specialist orthodontists whose services are available to the primary school sector, though not on a full-time basis. In addition, the dentists employed full-time by the health boards, numbering approximately 260, carry out orthodontic treatment to primary school children, mainly in the less complicated cases; (b) the waiting period varies between one health board and another from four months to four years. Urgent cases can generally be afforded priority and dealt with more quickly; (c) the approximate number of primary school children awaiting orthodontic treatment is 9,700.
Five new posts of Consultant Orthodontist have been approved for the health boards and when appointed they should help to achieve a significant reduction in the waiting period for orthodontic treatment.