Bernard Allen
Question:313 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the average waiting time for orthodontic assessment and the provision of treatment in the Southern Health Board area. [23974/01]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
The provision of orthodontic treatment is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. I am informed by the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board, SHB, that at the end of the September 2001 quarter, there were 2,300 patients in orthodontic treatment in the board. I am also informed by the chief executive officer of the SHB that at the end of the September 2001 quarter, the average waiting time for orthodontic assessment and treatment in the board's area of responsibility was as follows:
|
Waiting Time (Months) |
|||
|
Health Board |
Orthodontic Assessment |
Orthodontic Treatment Category A |
Orthodontic Treatment Category B |
|
Southern |
Patients born in October 1987 are currently being given appointments for assessment |
No waiting time |
48 |
Patients are referred for secondary care orthodontic treatment in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department that prioritise need for treatment based on the degree of handicap and severity of malocclusion. Patients in category A require immediate treatment and include those with congenital abnormalities of the jaws such as cleft lip and palate, and patients with major skeletal discrepancies between the sizes of the jaws. Patients in category B have less severe problems than category A patients but have a definite need of treatment and are placed on the orthodontic treatment waiting list.