Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1999

Vol. 508 No. 4

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

David Stanton

Question:

164 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number awaiting assessment and treatment respectively in orthodontic clinics under the direction of the consultant orthodontist in the Southern Health Board region; the number of orthodontic practitioners employed; the number of dental surgeries at the disposal of the orthodontic team; the locations of each; the plans, if any, he has to sanction an increase in the number of orthodontic practitioners employed by the board in order to deal with the waiting lists and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19280/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the Southern Health Board area and the maintenance of waiting lists are the statutory responsibility of the Southern Health Board. I have had inquiries made of the Southern Health Board. The information requested by the Deputy is as follows: waiting list for assessment 6,000 (approx), waiting list for treatment 8,079 and number of orthodontic practitioners one consultant orthodontist and five dentists. Orthodontic clinics: regional orthodontic unit, St. Finbarr's Hospital, six surgeries; Tralee, three clinics a week, and two surgeries; Mallow, two clinics a week and one surgery and Bantry, two clinics a week and one surgery.

My Department has made available to the Southern Health Board the resources necessary to enable the board to develop its orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan.