asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that people who are eligible for dental treatment are experiencing delays of over 18 months in the Eastern Health Board area; and if he will make a statement outlining his intentions so as to alleviate this problem.
Written Answers - Dental Treatment.
205.
I am aware that delays are being experienced in the provision of dental services for certain eligible categories in the Eastern Health Board. However priority is given to those categories considered most in need.
Emergency treatment is provided on demand. The average waiting time for pre-school and national school children is about a month.
The waiting period for other categories varies quite considerably but certain priority groups such as the elderly and the handicapped are treated within 12 months.