Vol. 539 No. 3
148 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on waiting lists for orthodontic treatment in County Kildare; if his attention has been drawn to the problem which exists in this regard; his plans to bring about an improvement in the orthodontic waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19505/01]
154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he has taken to deal with the problem of orthodontic waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19511/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 154 together.
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 recommendations 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 Employers 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.
