Vol. 537 No. 2
231 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny was not called for continued assessment for orthodontic treatment when he was in primary school; if he will now be given immediate attention and treatment in view of his circumstances; and the cover which is now available to him as a patient already assessed but without public or private cover. [15749/01]
Under the Health Act, 1970, a child is eligible for orthodontic treatment on the basis of defects noted at a school health examination carried out while the child is attending a national school. Children in specific classes in national school, usually in second, fourth and sixth class, are dentally screened and referred for orthodontic review as necessary. The priority of need for specialist orthodontic treatment is assessed according to the guidelines issued by my Department and children placed on the orthodontic treatment waiting list are called on the basis of priority need. There is no cut-off age for their orthodontic treatment.
As the provision of orthodontic services to eligible persons in County Kilkenny is the statutory responsibility of the South-Eastern Health Board, I have asked the chief executive officer of that board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
