Vol. 526 No. 3
272 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the North Eastern Health Board area; the length of time a person has to wait for treatment; if his Department will cover the cost of private orthodontic care in cases where people cannot afford such treatment and cannot afford to wait for health reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26592/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons and the maintenance of waiting lists in the North Eastern Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of that board.
The following information which was submitted to my Department at the end of the September quarter, 2000 indicates the position with regard to waiting lists and times for orthodontic treatment in the North Eastern Health Board area: number awaiting treatment: 867; waiting time for treatment: 2-2.5 years.
Health boards may, at their discretion, enter into arrangements with private orthodontists for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons at approved rates. Patients who make private arrangements for orthodontic treatment are liable for the costs of such treatment and I have no proposals at this time to introduce a financial support scheme in such circumstances.
I am considering, in the context of the Estimates for 2001, a special initiative on the orthodontic waiting lists for all areas including the North Eastern Health Board area. The main features of this initiative would be recruitment of additional dental teams; additional sessions for existing dental teams; and additional contractual arrangements with private orthodontists at approved rates.
