Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 3

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

43 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether there are undue delays in the provision of orthodontic treatment for very many children and the delays in the Southern Health Board area are particularly acute in that there are over 14,000 children awaiting assessment or treatment; and if he has any plans to deal with the situation. [18058/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I am aware of the difficulties being experienced in the provision of orthodontic services. The provision of orthodontic services in the Southern Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of that board. The latest detailed information with regard to waiting lists in the Southern Health Board was made available to me on 31 March 2000 and is as follows:

Number awaiting assessment:	5,646
Number awaiting treatment:	approx. 5,000.
Waiting time for treatment:	3-3.5 years.

I understand from a recent inquiry from the board that the numbers on the waiting lists have not substantially changed in the meantime. The board in consultation with the consultant orthodontist has agreed on the need to validate these waiting lists and this validation process is now commencing following the recruitment of clerical staff.

Health board orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. The action plan provides for the development by each health board of a consultant-led orthodontic service. This year I am providing an additional £0.250 million on an ongoing basis to the Southern Health Board for the further development of its orthodontic services. I have also indicated approval of additional funding of £100,000 per annum to Cork Dental School to support the appointment to the school of a professor in orthodontics so that priority can be given to the provision of specialist training programmes in orthodontics for health board dentists in the orthodontic units.

I have also recently asked health boards to submit proposals to me as to how waiting lists and waiting times for orthodontic treatment in their areas might be further reduced. I have had a recent meeting with officers of the board in the course of which I expressed my concern at the waiting lists and we discussed measures to improve service provision and reduce waiting lists.

Following on these discussions the board will now formally submit proposals to me for reducing waiting lists. I will respond to these proposals quickly.