Vol. 475 No. 7
60 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the long delays in having children assessed and treated by orthodontists in the Southern Health Board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5665/97]
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. The Southern Health Board's consultant orthodontist was appointed from 1 September 1992. The service is provided from St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork, with outlying satellite clinics in the board's community care areas.
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 the board to provide a greatly increased volume of service and a service of high quality. There are at present five dental teams attached to the orthodontic unit at St. Finbar's working under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. Approximately 1,970 patients are at present receiving treatment.
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/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/ 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.
In the Southern Health Board the waiting period for assessment for orthodontic treatment can be up to two years and the waiting time for treatment following completion of the assessment can be up to 18 months.
Further developments of the orthodontic services in the Southern Health Board will be considered in the context of priorities determined by the board.
