asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment pending the appointment of an orthodontist by the Eastern Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
85.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.
84.
asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that a young person (details supplied) in County Dublin is in urgent need of orthodontic treatment and that due to the lack of an orthodontist in the Eastern Health Board the future proper formation of the child's inner mouth is in danger; the length of the delay in making the appointment of the orthodontist; and the reasons for the delay.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together. I am aware of the specific case referred to by the Deputy. It is one where complicated orthodontic treatment is required and this can only be carried out by a specialist orthodontist. There are over 300 cases of this type on the Eastern Health Board waiting list and these cannot be attended to until a consultant orthodontist has been recruited by the health board. The post of consultant orthodontist for the Eastern Health Board is among five such posts which were recommended for the country as a whole by the working party on dental services.
Early in 1981 when it had been decided to proceed with the filling of these posts negotiations were entered into with the representatives of the dental associations on the salary and conditions attached to the posts. However, in July 1981 the filling of the posts was affected by the Government's general embargo on new posts in the public service. Nevertheless I am hopeful that I will find it possible to allow the filling of the posts to proceed in the near future.