Vol. 488 No. 7
390 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will establish training pathways linking the Irish Consultants Orthodontic Group with the Dublin Dental Hospital to allow staff to continue to provide a valuable service while attending lectures one day per fortnight at the academic institution. [6938/98]
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 with 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 with me to ensure that the academic and training programmes of both dental schools in orthodontics and other disciplines adequately reflect current future needs of the public dental service under the health strategy and the dental health action plan.
