Vol. 543 No. 1
46 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people waiting for orthodontic treatment; the number waiting for orthodontic assessment; and if there has been an increase in the waiting time for treatment and assessment. [25387/01]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
I am informed by the chief executive officers of the health boards that at the end of the September 2001 quarter there were 15,920 patients in orthodontic treatment, 23,686 patients awaiting orthodontic assessment and 11,995 patients awaiting orthodontic treatment in their boards.
The waiting times for orthodontic assessment and treatment provided to me by the chief executive officers of the health boards indicate that the waiting times for assessment and treatment in some health boards have been reduced. The impact of both the structural changes being introduced to the orthodontic services and the orthodontic initiative on these waiting times will be closely monitored by my Department to determine what other measures, if any, are required.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 13.
Question No. 48 lapsed.
