Vol. 498 No. 4
317 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children the circumstances in which orthodontic treatment services as provided under sections 66 and 67 of the Health Act, 1970, may commence in the late teens of the young person concerned rather than in the adolescent period as is more usually the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27647/98]
Fixed appliance orthodontic treatment can take up to two years to complete. Before the orthodontic treatment commences, all other outstanding treatment must be completed and the patient must have achieved a good standard of oral hygiene.
The most common reason for commencement of orthodontic treatment in the late teens is poor patient compliance at a younger age, including failure to attend scheduled appointments.
