Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1998

Vol. 488 No. 7

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Richard Bruton

Question:

209 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce a maximum waiting time for category I and category II orthodontic cases to eliminate waiting time for category I cases so that category II cases would have to wait for no more than 24 months; and if he will allocate resources to ensure this guarantee would be met and progressively improved in the coming years. [6929/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. The dental health action plan provides for the development by each health board of a consultant-led orthodontic service. A consultant-led service ensures a service of high quality and high service levels.

Because of the high cost of providing 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.

Health boards which have a consultant-led orthodontic service commence immediate treatment on category A cases, the category of greatest severity.

All health boards have waiting times for category B cases but these waiting times have improved significantly under the consultant-led service. Health boards have been requested to provide information regarding waiting times for treatment of patients in categories A and B. When this information is analysed target waiting times will be agreed with each health board and included in their service plans for 1999. A target waiting period of not more than 24 months may be a reasonable objective for most health boards. I will continue to develop the health board orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan accordingly as the necessary additional resources become available.

The Eastern Health Board uses the designations category I and category II in place of category A and category B.