Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 5

Written Answers - Orthodontic Service.

Noel Ahern

Question:

108 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the situation in relation to the waiting list for teenagers on the Eastern Health Board orthodontic list, in view of the fact that a patient (details supplied) in Dublin 9 has been told after five years on the waiting list that he does not qualify for treatment under his Department's criteria; if he has given approval to this method of reducing waiting lists; his views on whether it is unfair to string a patient along for five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5392/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic services to persons in the Dublin area and the maintenance of waiting lists is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board.

I understand from the Eastern Health Board that patients are placed on the orthodontic waiting list by a clinical dental surgeon in their local area in the first instance. They are placed on this waiting list with a view to getting an assessment appointment at a later date with an orthodontist. In the intervening period, movement of teeth may increase or decrease the need for orthodontic treatment. For this reason, it would not be possible to place patients on a definitive waiting list at their initial screening.

In 1996 the board appointed a consultant orthodontist and established a regional orthodontic department at St. James's Hospital. Orthodontic practitioners and support staff were recruited and under the supervision of the consultant orthodontist have eliminated the waiting list for category 1.

As a result of the increased service provision and a review of the waiting lists by the consultant to determine eligibility for orthodontic treatment the waiting time for category 2 patients and the waiting list numbers have been considerably reduced. A review of persons in category 3 is due to commence shortly to determine eligibility for orthodontic treatment.

I understand from the board that the patient in question was placed on the board's orthodontic waiting list for further assessment in June 1992. He had an appointment for assessment on 21 October 1996 at the board's regional orthodontic department in St. James's Hospital. At this assessment it was established that his orthodontic problem does not fulfil the criteria regarding priority for orthodontic treatment through the public dental services.

On this basis the board regrets that it was necessary to discharge this patient from the waiting list.