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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 4

Written Answers. - Dental Treatment.

Richard Bruton

Question:

171 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in respect of each health board, the number of patients awaiting dental treatment; the average duration of wait before receiving treatment; and the annual throughput of patients in 1990 in respect of each of the following: (a) children waiting for orthodontic treatment and (b) adults waiting for dentures.

In 1990 42,000 adults received routine treatment. This included 25,000 persons who benefited from the additional budget allocation provided by the Government. It is expected that the same level of treatment will be provided in the current year. The number of adults who received dentures during 1990 is not available. The waiting lists are currently being reviewed and when this information is available I will communicate with the Deputy.

In most health boards, routine dental services for children are now organised on a school based system whereby all children in specified classes are screened each year and treated where necessary and therefore waiting lists are no longer relevant.
The numbers of children receiving orthodontic treatment in the various health board areas during 1990 were as follows:

Eastern

n.a.

Midland

819

Mid-Western

450

North Eastern

889

North Western

1,108

South Eastern

520

Southern

2,590(b)

Western

426

Note: (b) includes minor orthodontic treatment.
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