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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

237 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the waiting lists in each health board for orthodontic treatment among children classified as category 1 or category 2 priority; the number of new appointments of orthodontists made in the past 18 months to each of the health boards; and if he will introduce a guaranteed time limit within which the patients awaiting orthodontic treatment would receive treatment which would apply throughout all the health boards and achieve some equity in access for all. [26399/98]

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons and the maintenance of waiting lists are the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Given 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. I have been advised by the boards that the treatment waiting list is currently as follows:

Health Board

Waiting List for Treatment

Eastern

Category I and II: Nil for Treatment* 6,908 on Category II Waiting List for Assessment

Midland

Category A: Nil

Category B: 699

Mid-Western

Category A: Nil

Category B: 2,967

North-Eastern

Category A: Nil

Category B: 1,440

North-Western

Category A+B: 944

South-Eastern

Category A+B: 511

Southern

Category A+B: 4,147

Western

Category A+B: 3,795

* In the Eastern Health Board area, there is no waiting list for orthodontic treatment for children in Categories I and II. All Category I patients, the category of greatest need, are assessed and treated immediately. A treatment programme for Category II patients is put in place immediately following assessment.
All health boards with the exception of the Midland Health Board now have consultant orthodontists employed in their orthodontic departments. The North-Eastern Health Board appointed a consultant orthodontist with effect from September 1988. The Midland Health Board intends to appoint a full-time consultant orthodontist with effect from 1 April 1999. All health boards will then have in place a consultant led orthodontic service as provided under the dental health action plan.
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. I understand that 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. It is not possible to guarantee treatment within a certain time frame for all patients on treatment waiting lists. The objective of the current review of the orthodontic services is to ensure equity in the provision of orthodontic treatment throughout the health boards having regard to the additional resources provided to health boards over the past few years under the Dental Health Action Plan for developments in orthodontic services.
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