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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

445 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health the number of children refused orthodontic treatment in all health board areas since 1 January 1994, on the grounds that they did not meet the guidelines laid down by the Department of Health in 1985. [720/94]

The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. As the provision of orthodontic treatment is the responsibility of health boards I have asked the chief executive officer of each health board to reply directly to you with the information requested.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

446 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to ease the 1985 Department of Health guidelines regarding the eligibility criteria for treatment of children on orthodontic waiting lists. [721/94]

It is the experience here and in most developed countries that demand for orthodontic treatment exceeds real need where the service is provided free of charge. Accordingly, my Department has asked health boards to apply certain objective criteria in assessing degrees of priority of need for specialist orthodontic treatment on the basis of degree of handicap and severity of malocclusion. I am satisfied that these criteria continue to be fair and relevant, and not in need of review at this stage.

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