Vol. 496 No. 6
305 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the costs of private orthodontic treatment relative to the cost of this treatment in Northern Ireland; if he will relax his Department's guidelines governing eligibility for this treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/98]
The charges for private orthodontic treatment are determined by the market. There is some evidence to suggest that charges for orthodontic treatment obtained privately in Northern Ireland are lower than here but for comparisons to be valid like treatment must be compared with like and all factors contributing to variations in costs would need to be evaluated.
Because of the high cost of fixed appliance orthodontic therapy, health boards can only provide this treatment where a child has a handicapping orthodontic condition. Children are assessed, therefore, in accordance with guidelines drawn up by my Department, to ensure that resources are used to best advantage and for those most affected or handicapped.
At the suggestion of my Department, an orthodontic review group has been set up by the health boards to examine a range of issues in relation to the orthodontic services including the guidelines. 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.
