Vol. 436 No. 5
160 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the waiting list for orthodontic treatment under Category B of the Department of Health classification system goes back to 1987; his views on whether it is satisfactory that schoolchildren should have to wait so long for this treatment; the action, if any, he intends taking to reduce the waiting period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The average waiting period for Category B orthodontic cases in most areas varies from a few months up to about three years. I am aware that, in some few areas, there can be longer periods. I am currently reviewing the position regarding the provision of orthodontic services in each health board area, the waiting times for treatment and the impact made by the appointment of consulant orthodontists to the services. I have made additional funding available to health boards in 1993 to assist the development of orthodontic services and I intend to make extra funds available over the period of the Programme for Government for their further development.
