Mary Coughlan
Question:39 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Health the number of people awaiting orthodontic treatment in the North-Western Health Board area; and the plans, if any, he has for the immediate future in this regard. [4298/97]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Limerick East): I have been advised by the North-Western Health Board that there are 2,033 patients on the waiting list for secondary care orthodontic treatment in the North-Western Health Board area.
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 consultant orthodontic service was introduced to Sligo General Hospital in 1992 and was extended to Letterkenny General Hospital in 1995.
The board 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.
Further developments of the orthodontic services in the North-Western Health Board will be considered in the context of priorities determined by the board.