Vol. 481 No. 4
157 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines laid down by his Department under which the health boards provide orthodontic treatment; and the number of people who applied for treatment who have been refused due to the application of those guidelines in the past twelve months. [16485/97]
I have forwarded a copy of my Department's 1985 guidelines on the provision of secondary care orthodontic treatment to Deputy Stanton. These are the guidelines currently used by the health boards. Children are screened for the provision of orthodontic treatment while still in national school and, where appropriate, an assessment in accordance with the guidelines is carried out under the direction and supervision of the consultant orthodontist. Children are admitted to treatment waiting lists on the basis of this assessment. As the normal route for entry to the treatment waiting list does not require individual application health boards do not collate information in regard to such applications.
158 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number awaiting orthodontic treatment at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; the amount of time under existing arrangements it will take to clear the list; the number awaiting assessment at the same clinic; and the plans, if any, he has to make funding available to shorten these waiting lists. [16486/97]
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. 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. I will, in conjunction with the health boards, continue to develop the consultant led orthodontic services over the course of the dental health action plan. The ultimate objective is to bring the level of service provision in line with the level of treatment need. The provision of orthodontic services to eligible children at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork and the maintenance of waiting lists is the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board. My Department has provided funding to the board for the development of its orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan.
I have been advised by the Southern Health Board that the waiting list is segregated into patients awaiting assessment and those awaiting treatment. The current numbers on both lists are 2,200 awaiting treatment and 4,900 awaiting assessment. Those who have been assessed as category A, the category of greatest need, receive immediate treatment.
I understand that the board is at present reviewing its position regarding the provision of orthodontic services and is considering a number of options, including the temporary appointment of a senior registrar and registrar.
