Vol. 485 No. 2
206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare did not receive orthodontic treatment in view of the fact that she is deemed in need of this treatment by her general practitioner; if he will outline the guidelines within which this treatment is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22747/97]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Kildare is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
I have forwarded a copy of my Department's 1985 guidelines on the provision of secondary care orthodontic treatment to Deputy Durkan. These are the guidelines currently used by the health boards.
My Department, in consultation with the health boards and their consultant orthodontists, is currently reviewing these guidelines. 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.
