Vol. 480 No. 6
258 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make funding available to the North-Eastern Health Board to cover the treatment of category C orthodontic patients; if his attention has been drawn to the serious effect and complexes that young individuals develop due to their current treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/97]
Orthodontic treatment services in the North-Eastern Health Board are being developed on a phased basis in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan. The action plan provides for the phased improvement of primary and secondary care orthodontic treatment through the development of consultant-led orthodontic services. The North-Eastern Health Board is continuing in its efforts to employ a consultant orthodontist.
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. Category C patients are those with a non-handicapping malocclusion.
My Department, in consultation with the health boards and their consultant orthodontists, is currently reviewing the guidelines issued in 1985. The objective of this review is to ensure equity in the provision of orthodontic treatment throughout the health boards having regard to the additional resources provided to health boards over the past few years under the Dental Health Action Plan for developments in orthodontic services.
