Vol. 472 No. 3
71 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, which will be taken to deal with situations where people are recommended for fixed appliance therapy for orthodontal problems but will never be called due to the length of lists currently in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/96]
Limerick East): The health board orthodontic services are currently being developed in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan. The action plan provides for the phased improvement of orthodontic treatment services through a consultant led orthodontic service in each health board. Most health boards now have a consultant in place and are consolidating and extending their orthodontic services under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. A primary task of the consultant is to organise and co-ordinate orthodontic training to sub-consultant level for health board dental staff. This enables health boards to provide a greatly increased volume of service and a service of high quality.
Because of the high cost of providing orthodontic treatment it is important that resources be used to best advantage and for those most severely affected and or handicapped. Patients are, therefore, assessed for treatment in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department and placed on waiting lists in descending order of severity and or handicap. In some areas there are large numbers of children on the waiting lists and there can be long waiting periods for orthodontic treatment. I accept that such waiting periods are undesirable.
Where health boards have been successful in recruiting consultant orthodontists the services provided by these boards have been considerably improved. This demonstrates very clearly the success of my Department's strategy of consultant led teams for the provision of orthodontic services.
I will, in conjunction with the health boards, continue to develop the consultant led orthodontic services over the course of the Dental Health Action Plan. The ultimate objective is to bring the level of service provision in line with the level of treatment need.
