asked the Minister for Health the number of school children waiting for free dental treatment in each of the health board areas; and the average length of time school children must wait before receiving treatment in each of these areas.
Written Answers. - School Dental Scheme.
626.
This information requested by the Deputy is as follows:—
|
Health Board |
Number Awaiting Treatment |
Waiting Period for Treatment |
|
Eastern |
Not available at present |
Between 2 weeks and 3 months |
|
Midland |
1,500 |
6 weeks |
|
Mid Western |
5,041 |
Between 1 month and 18 months |
|
North Eastern |
7,586 |
Between 2 months and 2 years |
|
North Western |
5,500 |
Between 4 months and 6 months |
|
South Eastern |
11,100 |
Between 2 weeks and 4 years* |
|
Southern |
2,000 |
Between 3 months |
|
Western |
9,385 |
Between 3 months and 2 years |
*In the South Eastern Health Board area children in 6th class in primary schools are afforded priority and are generally given treatment within a few weeks of examination.
In all health boards emergency treatment for the relief of pain is available on demand.
The information relating to numbers awaiting treatment in the Eastern Health Board area will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
The main reason for the delay in providing treatment for children is the shortage of dentists in the health board dental service. Apart from the question of the adequacy of the number of posts in the service it has proved difficult to recruit dentists to fill vacancies in most areas. Competitions are in progress at present for the filling of a number of vacant posts and the indications are that the position in relation to the supply of candidates is improving.
I am of course concerned at the situation in relation to delays and intend to see what steps can be taken to bring about an improvement.