Richard Bruton
Question:114 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a subsidy to help parents whose children are waiting for long periods for orthodontic treatment to get the work done privately.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.
Children seen by the Health Board's school dental service are referred for screening for orthodontic treatment in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department. Urgent cases, such as cleft palate, are treated as a matter of urgency.
There has been a significant improvement in the level of orthodontic services as a result of the additional moneys made available since 1990. Full-time Consultant Orthodontists have now been appointed to six health boards which will result in further improvements in the provision of orthodontic services. These appointments will enable the boards to develop a comprehensive orthodontic service and will facilitate the provision of training in orthodontics for the boards dental staff.
Health boards which have not, so far, been successful in recruiting consultant orthodontists have made alternative arrangements with private specialists for the time being and will make further efforts to recruit consultants in the near future.
The recruitment of consultant orthodontists and the training of health board dental staff in the provision of orthodontic treatment will enable health boards to develop a comprehensive orthodontic service and with additional funds available to me this year I propose to develop the service further. I do not propose, therefore, to introduce a subsidy for the provision of private orthodontic treatment.