Michael Ring
Question:126 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons on the orthodontic treatment waiting list in the Western Health Board area. [24414/01]
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 Western Health Board, WHB, that at the end of August 2001 there were 1,417 patients in orthodontic treatment in the board. I am also informed by the chief executive officer of the WHB that at the end of August 2001, the number of patients awaiting orthodontic treatment in the board's area of responsibility was as follows:
Treatment Waiting List
|
Health Board |
Category A |
Waitingtime(Months) |
Category B |
Waiting time (Months) |
|
Western |
Nil |
No waitingtime |
1,517 |
36-48 |
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.