Vol. 488 No. 2
188 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science his position in relation to the establishment of training pathways with the Dublin Dental Hospital or orthodontic staff of the Mid-Western Health Board which would allow orthodontic staff to attend lectures one day per fortnight at an academic institution, while continuing to provide orthodontic services in the Mid-West region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5405/98]
189 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the situation regarding orthodontic services in the Eastern Health Board area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5406/98]
191 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will request the Dublin Dental Hospital to establish training pathway links for orthodontic practitioners, which will allow staff to continue to provide valuable service in the Western Health Board area whilst attending lectures one day per fortnight at this academic institution, as requested by the Irish Consultant Orthodontist Group, in order to eliminate the long waiting list for this service in the County Galway area as a result of the acute shortage or orthodontic practitioners in the Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5849/98]
200 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Eastern Health Board has been unable to establish training pathways links with the Dublin Dental Hospital, which would allow staff to continue to provide important orthodontic services while attending academic instruction; his views on whether it is acceptable that a publicly funded institution such as the Dublin Dental Hospital should fail to co-operate in this regard, leading to a situation where some health boards have been obliged to make links with dental hospitals outside the State. [5979/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188, 189, 191 and 200 together.
I understand that the Department of Health and Children has commenced discussions with the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to review the role of the Dublin Dental Hospital in the provision of training in orthodontics for health board staff and that officials of that Department are meeting representatives of the Irish Consultants' Orthodontic Group. I further understand that the Orthodontic Review Group established by the chief executive officers of the health boards has also examined issues in relation to training in orthodontics and that this group is due to report in the near future.
Following these developments my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, has indicated that he will, as necessary, consult me to ensure that the academic and training programmes of both dental schools in orthodontics and other disciplines adequately reflect current and future needs of the public dental service under the health strategy and the dental health action plan.
