Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 5

Written Answers - Orthodontic Service.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

84 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the situation in relation to the waiting list for teenagers in respect of the various health boards' orthodontic lists in view of the fact that patients are being told that they will not reach the top of these lists before they are 16; and the solution, if any, in place to address this situation. [7484/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of orthodontic services to eligible children and the maintenance of waiting lists is the statutory responsibility of the health boards.

The health board orthodontic services are 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. 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.

At present, average waiting times for children seeking orthodontic treatment vary considerably throughout the country. In some areas there are large numbers of children on the waiting lists and there can be long waiting periods for orthodontic treatment. However, with the recruitment of the consultant orthodontists and the development of the consultant led services it can be expected that there will be considerable improvements in the waiting times.

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.

Having regard to the provisions outlined in the health strategy, the dental health action plan and the additional resources provided to health boards over the past few years for developments in the orthodontic services, my Department in consultation with the health boards and their consultant orthodontists is currently reviewing the guidelines. The objectives of this review are to ensure equity in the provision of orthodontic treatment throughout the health boards and reduce the waiting time for treatment, having regard to the resources available to the boards.