Vol. 489 No. 6
387 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a submission made by the Mid-Western Health Board to his Department in 1997 for extra funding in 1998 to employ one additional dental surgeon and one dental assistant was not positively responded to. [8564/98]
Health Board orthodontic services are currently being developed in accordance with the dental health action plan.
388 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish training links with the Dublin Dental Hospital in view of the need for proper postgraduate training and education for those providing orthodontic services for the Eastern Health Board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8565/98]
432 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a link cannot be established between the Western Health Board orthodontic group and the Dublin Dental Hospital which would ensure proper post graduate training and education for the staff who provide orthodontic treatment in the Western Health Board Region (details supplied). [8860/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 432 together.
I am concerned to ensure that post-graduate 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.
My Department has commenced discussions with the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board concerning the role of the Dublin Dental Hospital and School in the provision of training in orthodontics for the health board staff and has also met with representatives of the Irish consultant orthodontists' group to hear their views on postgraduate training requirements in orthodontics. My Department has also entered discussions with the Dublin Dental Hospital and School on the issue.
The orthodontic review group, a group set up by the health boards at the suggestion of my Department, has examined issues in relation to training in orthodontics and will include recommendations in its report. This group, which includes health board consultant orthodontists, is due to report to the chief executive officers of the health boards in the near future.
Following the outcome of these developments I will, as necessary, consult with my colleague Deputy Martin, Minister for Education and Science, to ensure that adequate post-graduate training programmes are provided by both dental schools.
