asked the Minister for Health the length of time orthodontic patients in County Galway must wait for treatment.
Written Answers. - County Galway Orthodontic Patients.
584.
The waiting period for orthodontic treatment in Galway is up to 3½ years at present. However, in complicated cases involving the use of fixed applicances some persons are waiting up to 5½ years for treatment. For nearly two years the Department of Health have been actively seeking to get agreement on a scale of charges for this particular type of treatment with 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 fixed appliance treatment. As a result of recent discussions with the private orthodontists I am hopeful that agreement will shortly be reached so that treatments can again be proceeded with without delay.
Applications will be invited soon for a new full-time post of consultant orthodontist for the Western Health Board. The filling of this post should greatly reduce the waiting period for orthodontic treatment in the area.