asked the Minister for Health if dental treatment will be sanctioned in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
114.
Written Answers. - Mayo Dental Treatment.
113.
asked the Minister for Health if dental treatment will be sanctioned in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. The persons in question are awaiting fixed appliance orthodontic treatment. This treatment is carried out by orthodontists in private practice on behalf of the health boards and in normal circumstances treatment of the cases in question would now be in progress. However, the Department of Health have been endeavouring since July 1981 to get agreement with the private orthodontists on a scale of charges for the treatment and in the absence of agreement the issue of authorisations to proceed with treatments was suspended. Discussions on a scale of charges are in progress between the orthodontists and the Department. I am most concerned about serious delays of this nature and I am hoping that agreement will soon be reached so that treatments can again be proceeded with.