asked the Minister for Health the average length of time patients have to wait for orthodontic treatment in the South-Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - South-Eastern Health Board Services.
97.
The average waiting time for orthodontic services in Carlow-Kilkenny and South Tipperary community care areas of the South-Eastern Health Board is four to five years. In waterford and wexford community care areas the average waiting time is one year. Priority is granted to urgent cases who are seen as soon as possible.
I am most concerned about this situation as there is a long standing approval for the appointment of a consultant orthodontist to the area.
Efforts are being made to recruit a consultant orthodontist to the South-Eastern Health Board, and when this new post is filled waiting times for orthodontic services should decrease considerably.
98.
asked the Minister for Health the number of opticians employed by the South-Eastern Health Board for each of the years from 1982 to 1985, inclusive.
The South-Eastern Health Board does not employ opticians. The services of ophthalmic opticians who have entered into a contract with the health board are used to test the sight of eligible adults while ophthalmic and dispensing opticians supply spectacles for eligible adults and children on a contract basis.
The number of opticians who had contracts with the Southern-Eastern Health Board in the years 1982 to 1985 is given in the following table:
|
Year |
Number of Opticians |
|
1982 |
27 |
|
1983 |
30 |
|
1984 |
30 |
|
1985 |
33 |
99.
asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists employed in a permant capacity in the South-Eastern Health Board from 1982 to 1985.
The following table gives the number of dentists employed in a permanent capacity in the South-Eastern Health Board in 1982 to 1985:
|
Year |
Number of Dentists |
|
1982 |
29 |
|
1983 |
25 |
|
1984 |
22 |
|
1985 |
25 |