asked the Minister for Health if he will give the number of dentists and orthodontists available through the Eastern Health Board in the North Strand Health Centre, Dublin 1; if there has been a reduction recently; the alternative services available to children who are told the centre cannot cope with them; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dental Personnel.
145.
Two dentists currently attend North Strand health centre, one for five days per week and one for one day per week.
Up to the end of January 1988 the number of dentists attending the health centre was three but one has left the service and the board has not succeeded in recruiting a replacement to date. The board has recently advertised for dentists and the vacancy will be filled, when the results of the interviews are known. No orthodontist is available in the North Strand area but some suitable cases are being treated within the orthodontic training scheme in Crumlin. Others are being treated in the Dental Hospital. A number of competitions held by the Local Appointments Commission in recent years have failed to fill some vacant posts of orthodontist in the health board services (including the Eastern Health Board).