Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dental Services.

Paul McGrath

Question:

221 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on waiting lists for dental care in each dental clinic in County Westmeath; the number awaiting orthodontic treatment in this regard; the waiting time for this treatment; and the initiatives, if any, he has to eliminate these long waiting periods. [20404/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of dental and orthodontic treatment services to eligible children in the Westmeath area and the maintenance of the waiting list is the statutory responsibility of the Midland Health Board.

I have been advised by the Midland Health Board that there are no children at present on the waiting list for routine dental treatment in County Westmeath. All schools are visited within an 18 month cycle and pupils from first class to sixth class are screened and provided with treatment as necessary. Any child in pain will be seen almost immediately.

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.

The Midland Health Board has advised me that category A cases (the cases of greatest severity) receive immediate treatment. There are 183 children on the orthodontic waiting list in County Westmeath. The maximum waiting time is approximately three years.

The board's orthodontic services will be further developed in accordance with the Dental Health Action Plan. I understand that the board will arrange, through the Local Appointments Commission, to have the post of consultant orthodontist readvertised in the new year.