Vol. 503 No. 5
35 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has for the provision of an adequate orthodontic service; the changes, if any, he proposes regarding provision of an adequate service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10562/99]
Orthodontic services are being developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. The action plan provides for a consultant-led orthodontic service in each health board. Dental teams provide services under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. The consultant-led service ensures a high quality of service and high service levels. Additional resources have been made available by my Department to the health boards over the past few years to enable them to develop their orthodontic services in accordance with the action plan. Seven health boards have established a consultant-led orthodontic service and all boards have achieved considerable progress under the action plan.
At the suggestion of my Department, an Orthodontic review group was set up by the health boards to prepare a report and make recommendations on the orthodontic services. The objective of this review 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.
The group has recently made a report to the chief executive officers of the health boards and this report is currently the subject of discussion between the chief executive officers of the health boards and my Department.
