Gay Mitchell
Question:163 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children when the orthodontic waiting list for children will be cleared. [16283/01]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
I am aware of the difficulties being experienced in the provision of orthodontic services. These difficulties are being addressed and progress is being made on a number of fronts in order to increase the numbers in treatment.
Following recommendations in the Moran report, Review of Orthodontic Services, structural changes are being introduced in orthodontic services. One of the review group's recommendation was that appropriately trained, qualified and registered specialist orthodontists be employed in regional orthodontic units to ensure the continuation of a high quality service. An accord has been reached between the Dental Council, the two dental schools and hospitals in Dublin and Cork and the Irish Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry to establish specialist dental training in this country on a sound footing. The Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and health boards have advertised a specialist training programme in orthodontics.
The Dental Council has established a register of dental specialists with a division of orthodontics and the issue of a specialist grade in orthodontics within the health board service is currently being negotiated under the auspices of the Health Services Employer's Agency. I am confident that the setting up of a specialist register and the creation of the grade of specialist orthodontist in the health board service will result in a substantial improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of the orthodontic service.
I have also approached the Dental Council concerning the creation of a scheme for the recognition of auxiliary dental workers in orthodontics – this grade will act as a support to the consultant orthodontist, specialists and other dentists working in the orthodontic unit thus enabling greater caseloads to be achieved.
However, it will be some time before these structural changes impact significantly on service levels. Consequently, I asked health boards to develop proposals to make an immediate significant impact on their waiting lists. Additional funding of £5.3 million has been provided for orthodontic services this year, of which £3.7 million is to fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This will enable health boards to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private orthodontists to treat patients.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority – ERHA – has appointed a second consultant orthodontist; the appointment of a third is expected in the near future and the recruitment of a fourth consultant orthodontist for the authority is under way.
A new orthodontic unit at Loughlinstown is currently being equipped. An additional five surgery unit at St. James' Hospital is also being equipped. The Northern Area Health Board is currently progressing plans for the development of a new regional orthodontic unit located on the grounds of James Connolly Memorial Hospital. The working group established in the ERHA to report on the implementation of the grant in-aid scheme in the Northern Area Health Board is currently continuing its work to finalise the scheme. The Southern Health Board is developing new orthodontic units in Tralee and North Cork and is in the process of recruiting two additional consultant orthodontists.
Based on the health boards own submissions, I expect that this initiative will have significant impact on orthodontic waiting lists and waiting times for treatment. The health boards have advised that the ultimate effect will be to increase the numbers in treatment by 5,500 per annum and significantly reduce waiting times for treatment. Validation of existing waiting lists will be carried out.
The outcome of this initiative in conjunction with the structural changes will be carefully monitored to assess the impact on waiting lists and to determine what further resources, if any, are required. It is not possible at present to put a time scale on this.