Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic treatment services for the Dublin area is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive officer of the board to review the cases of the persons named by the Deputy and to inform the Deputy of the outcome of this review.
The Eastern Health Board has provided a new orthodontic unit at St. James's Hospital under the consultant orthodontist who took up duty with the board earlier this year. The setting up of this unit with the assistance of funds provided by my Department under the dental health action plan and the successful recruitment by the board of a consultant orthodontist on a full-time basis considerably enhances the orthodontic services provided by the health board.
It is the responsibility of the consultant orthodontist to ensure that orthodontic treatment services are provided to those who will benefit from such treatment and are provided in accordance with the guidelines issued by my Department to health boards for the provision of orthodontic treatment services.