Vol. 504 No. 7
209 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number waiting for assessment and treatment in the orthodontic centre in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; the additional staff, if any, employed; the plans, if any, he has to further improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12585/99]
Orthodontic services in the Southern Health Board area are being developed by the board in accordance with the dental health action plan. My Department has made additional resources available to the board for these developments. The provision of orthodontic services and the maintenance of waiting lists are the responsibility of the health board.
I have had inquiries made of the Southern Health Board. I understand that there are 4,809 patients awaiting assessment and 4,583 awaiting orthodontic treatment at St. Finbarr's Hospital. There is now a specially designed and fully equipped orthodontic unit in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork. Six dental teams are attached to the unit working under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. The unit also has a hygienist, dental surgery assistants and radiographer and secretarial support. No additional staff have been employed in the unit in 1999.
I have been advised by the board that it is in a position to extend treatment to approximately 1,200 new patients every year.
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 health boards over the past few years under the dental health action plan.
