Vol. 503 No. 5
106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of orthodontists available for the treatment of children with orthodon tic needs in each of the health board areas; the extent to which this complement meets requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10649/99]
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 the health boards to develop their orthodontic services in accordance with the action plan.
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons under the health Acts and the recruitment of orthodontic staff are the statutory responsibility of the health boards. I have had inquiries made of the health boards and the information received is set out in the following table.
|
Health Board |
Number of Orthodontists and other Dentists Providing Services |
|
Eastern |
1 Consultant Orthodontist1 Senior Registrar5 Senior Dental Surgeons with Orthodontist Qualifications8 Senior Dental Surgeons |
|
Midland |
7 Orthodontists employed by Board on a sessional basis |
|
Mid-Western |
1 Consultant Orthodontist6 Senior Dental Surgeons (some with Orthodontist Qualifications) |
|
North-Eastern |
1 Consultant Orthodontist5 Orthodontists employed on a sessional basis |
|
North-Western |
1 Consultant Orthodontist1 Senior Dental Surgeon with Orthodontist Qualifications |
|
South-Eastern |
1 Consultant Orthodontist6 Senior Dental Surgeons (some with Orthodontist Qualifications) |
|
Southern |
1 Consultant Orthodontist8 Senior Dental Surgeons |
|
Western |
1 Consultant Orthodontist5 Senior Dental Surgeons |
