Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1992

Vol. 420 No. 3

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.

Andrew Boylan

Question:

125 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the condition of a person (details supplied) in County Cavan who is in need of orthodontic treatment; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that he has been refused treatment by the health board yet told to have attended to privately if his parents thought so; if he will confirm the serious cost involved in private orthodontic treatment, and if he will give an undertaking to subsidise same if the person attends a private orthodontist.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

Children requiring orthodontic treatment are assessed by the health boards in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department and are categorised A, B and C according to the severity of their condition.

Because of the high cost of specialist orthodontic treatment priority in the provision of such treatment is given to cases in Category A and Category B which are the categories of greatest severity.

I understand from the North-Eastern Health Board that this person has been assessed as Category C and placed on the waiting list for treatment.

The North-Eastern Health Board, in common with the other health boards does not contribute in whole or in part to the cost of treatment obtained under private arrangement.