Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 3

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

201 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the provision of orthodontic services in the north side of Dublin particularly in view of the orthodontic clinic at North Strand. [23377/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthodontic services in the north side of Dublin is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board. 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.

In September 1996 the Eastern Health Board established the regional orthodontic department in St. James's Hospital. The orthodontic consultant and her staff based there provide orthodontic services for the Eastern Health Board region. The board is consolidating and extending its orthodontic services under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. 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 service of high quality.

Prior to the establishment of the regional orthodontic department in St. James's Hospital the Eastern Health Board provided orthodontic services on anad hoc basis partly by the employment of private practitioners working three hour sessions in North Strand Health Centre.

As part of the service development the board intends to phase out sessional arrangements by private practitioners in North Strand Health Centre and assign patients on the waiting list to the regional orthodontic department at St. James's Hospital for assessment and treatment by the consultant and her staff. Satellite clinics of the regional orthodontic department will be held at North Strand. The position regarding North Strand will be kept under review as the services develop, particularly in relation to the proposed second regional orthodontic department at Beaumont Hospital.

I have been advised by the Eastern Health Board that a site has been identified within the campus of Beaumont Hospital as suitable for the construction of this regional orthodontic department. Work is now at the planning stage and the board proposes to commence construction in 1998.