Vol. 473 No. 4
189 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the provision of orthodontic services in County Clare; and the plans, if any, there are to extend this service to each dental clinic in the county. [1641/97]
Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic services in County Clare is the responsibility of the Mid-Western Health Board.
I understand there is an orthodontic clinic held in the County Clinic, Bindon St., Ennis, County Clare on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays of each week. One orthodontist attends these clinics, which are carried out under the direction of the consultant orthodontist for the Mid-Western Health Board who visits Ennis as is necessary.
The board plans ultimately to have a three chair orthodontic unit in Ennis. It is not envisaged that an orthodontic clinic would be provided at each dental clinic in the Clare area. An orthodontic clinic was provided in Kilrush Dental Clinic for some time on a pilot basis. The board hopes to re-establish this clinic in the near future again on a pilot basis.
