asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long list of applicants for orthodontic treatments in each health board area; and the plans, if any, he has to deal with this delay as a matter of urgency.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.
80.
In recent years the number of applications for orthodontic treatment has increased considerably giving rise to lengthy waiting lists. The health boards provide orthodontic services on the basis of clinical need rather than demand and use the guidelines drawn up by the Department of Health to determine the severity of each disorder. Priority in the provision of treatment is granted to the most severe cases.
Some difficulty has been experienced in the recruitment of suitably qualified persons to fill the posts of consultant orthodontist which were created to develop the orthodontic services. However the matter is being reviewed at present and it is hoped that the posts can be readvertised shortly. When they are filled this should lead to a considerable reduction in the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment.