Vol. 473 No. 1
104 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting orthodontic procedures in County Donegal; the cost of reducing the waiting list; and the proposals, if any, he has to address this problem. [24432/96]
Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Donegal is the statutory responsibility of the North-Western Health Board. I have been advised by the board that there are 1,224 children on the waiting list for secondary care orthodontic treatment in County Donegal. At an average cost per case of £480, the cost of reducing the waiting list would be £587,520.
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. The North-Western Health Board has a consultant in place and is consolidating and extending its 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.
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.
