Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

John McGuinness

Question:

482 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in providing orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at Waterford General Hospital; if the treatment required will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the delay in providing this service within the South-Eastern Health Board area. [1167/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Kilkenny is the responsibility of the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance.

In 2001, I provided additional funding of 190,000 for orthodontic services in the board, of which 127,000 was for its orthodontic initiative. This has enabled the board to recruit additional staff and the chief executive officer has informed me that at the end of the December 2001 quarter, there were 2,024 patients in orthodontic treatment in the board. This is an increase of 175 patients in orthodontic treatment when compared to the corresponding figure at the end of the June 2001 quarter. The waiting time for treatment in the board is approximately 12 months.

In addition, structural changes are being introduced into the orthodontic service such as the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics, the development of specialist training programmes and the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area. My Department has funded the training of a dentist from the SEHB for specialist in orthodontics qualifications. The dentist concerned commenced training in October last and discussions on providing an additional training course in 2002 are also under way. I am confident that these combined measures will further improve the delivery of orthodontics in the SEHB.

My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.