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. - Orthodontic Treatment.
28.
The average length of time that patients wait for orthodontic treatment in the South-Eastern Health Board varies from one to six years in the different community care areas. Successive attempts to fill a post of regional consultant orthodontist for the South-Eastern Health Board have been made over the past three years without success. The South-Eastern Health Board continues to engage the services of visiting private consultant orthodontists on a limited basis and the board hopes to expand its orthodontic service this year by increasing the number of sessions to be provided by visiting orthodontists.