asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adults awaiting dental treatment in each health board area.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Statistics.
75.
The number of children and adults awaiting dental treatment in each health board is as follows:
|
Number awaiting dental |
||
|
treatment |
||
|
Health Board |
||
|
Children |
Adults |
|
|
Eastern |
2,500 (a) |
13,700 |
|
Midland |
(b) |
Nil |
|
Mid-Western |
3,381 |
2,400 |
|
North-Eastern |
7,389 (e) |
1,353 (e) |
|
North-Western |
6,109 |
1,824 |
|
South-Eastern |
(c) |
5,096 (d) |
|
Southern |
12,969 |
7,759 |
|
Western |
11,536 |
8,662 |
These figures are not necessarily comparable since the basis of compiling waiting lists may vary between health boards.
Notes:
(a) In Dublin and Kildare no waiting lists are kept for children. All children are given appointments but they may have to wait between two and nine months for treatment depending on which health board clinic they attend.
(b) In the Midland Health Board children's dental services are organised on a rotational basis between the schools and no waiting lists of individuals awaiting treatment are maintained.
(c) No accurate figures are available at present for children awaiting dental treatment in the South-Eastern Health Board due to variations in practice in the compilation of waiting lists between the different community care areas.
(d) The figure relates to adults awaiting treatment through the ad hoc dental scheme only.
(e) The North-Eastern Health Board has recently changed its system of waiting lists in some of its community care areas and hence comparison with previous figures is not valid.