asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to settle the dispute between the orthodontic group of the Irish Dental Association and his Department over the payment of fees for fixed appliances; the proposals that he has put forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Orthodontists Fees.
14.
A scale of fees for fixed appliance orthodontic treatments was agreed between representatives of my Department and the orthodontic group of the Irish Dental Association in September 1983 so that no dispute exists on the fees issue. However, when the fees scale was agreed to, the orthodontists then sought the establishment of a national scheme with guaranteed annual funding for fixed appliance cases. Since arrangements for the provision of treatment and funding are entirely matters for the individual health boards my Department could not agree to these new demands of the orthodontic group. The present position is that health boards are free to have fixed appliance orthodontic treatments undertaken by private orthodontists provided the fees paid do not exceed the scale agreed in negotiation with the orthodontic group of the Irish Dental Association.