Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 7

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

David Stanton

Question:

89 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant orthodontists, orthodontists and clinical dental surgeons currently employed by the Southern Health Board in order to service the orthodontic clinic which operates out of St. Finbarr's Hospital, in County Cork; the plans, if any, there are to increase the number of personnel employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14817/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The provision of orthodontic services and the recruitment of orthodontic staff in the Southern Health Board area are the statutory responsibility of that health board. The information currently available to my Department indicates that the number of orthodontic staff in the Southern Health Board is as follows: one consultant orthodontist, and six dental surgeons.

I have provided an additional £0.250 million. to the Southern Health Board this year for the development of its orthodontic services. I understand that the board is considering the creation of additional posts for dental surgeons this year in the regional orthodontic unit.

David Stanton

Question:

90 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of dental surgeons currently being trained to become orthodontists in the respective training centres; the plans, if any, he has to increase this number and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14818/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The information requested by the Deputy is not maintained by my Department but is maintained by the health boards. I have had inquiries made of the health boards and the information received is as follows:

Health Board	No of Dentists Training to become Orthodontists
Eastern Regional Health Authority	1
Midland Health Board	Nil
Mid-Western Health Board	Nil
North-Eastern Health Board	1
North-Western Health Board	Nil
South-Eastern Health Board	2
Southern Health Board	Nil
Western Health Board	2

Closer co-operation in training programmes in orthodontics is required between the regional orthodontic units and the dental schools to ensure that adequate places are available for dentists working in the units. The Cork dental school hopes, with the recruitment of an additional consultant orthodontist, to be able to commence a training programme next year.

I have recently given my consent to the dental council for the creation of a specialist register in orthodontics. It will be a matter for the dental council to satisfy itself as to the acceptability of training programmes provided by the dental schools for entry to the specialist register.