Vol. 443 No. 3
47 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Health the number of children from category 1 group who have received orthodontic treatment since January 1994; the number of category 2 children who have received treatment; the number of treatments received by such patients in the period in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. The information has been requested of the health boards and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
I am addressing the issue of adequate provision of orthodontic services in the context of the National Health Strategy and an integrated dental development plan which will be phased in over the next four years.
My Department is at present in consultation with individual health boards as to their requirements having regard to my policy of developing a Consultant-led Secondary Care Orthodontic Service. Under the plan the consultant orthdontist will continue to organise and co-ordinate training for health board dentists so that a fully developed framework of orthodontic expertise is available to meet the needs of this area of the dental services.
