asked the Minister for Health if he will approve dental treatment with fixed appliances for a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers . - County Galway Dental Application .
844.
: Although there is a waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board area, in normal circumstances the child in question would now be in a position where approval to proceed with treatment would be given. However, the specific type of orthodontic treatment required — fixed appliance therapy — is one for which the Department of Health has been seeking to get agreement on a scale of charges with representatives of the private orthodontists who provide the service on behalf of the health boards. The absence of an agreed scale of charges has led to a hold up in the issue of authorisations for treatment. Discussions on a fixed scale of fees are in progress with the private orthodontists and I am hopeful that agreement will shortly be reached so that treatments can again be proceeded with.