Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 2

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

461 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the appointment, by the Southern Health Board, of an orthodontist, based in Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13085/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards in the first instance. The Southern Health Board was allocated an additional €1.191 million last year for orthodontic services of which €1.032 million was for the orthodontic initiative. Under the initiative, the board propose to inter alia recruit an additional two consultant orthodontists, one of whom will be located in Kerry.

The chief executive officer of the board has informed me that the Local Appointments Commission has recommended a candidate for one of the consultant orthodontist posts, to be based in the north of Cork city. This candidate is expected to take up duty with the board in September 2002. The board is presently examining the possibility of re-advertising the other consultant post for the Tralee unit in order to expedite an appointment. I have initiated a range of measures to substantially increase the capacity of the orthodontic services and reduce the waiting times for orthodontic treatment.

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 provided additional funding of €0.932 million for orthodontic services in 2002 of which €0.541 million was for a specialist training programme in orthodontics. Six dentists from the health boards – four of which are from the Eastern Regional Health Authority – commenced their training for specialist in orthodontics qualifications last October. Discussions on providing an additional training course to commence in 2002 are also under way.

My Department has funded the appointment of a director of specialist training for the Irish Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry through the Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Board. The director has taken up duty and is playing a pivotal role in assisting the different agencies involved in dental specialist training programmes. My Department has also funded the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics at Cork University Dental School to facilitate the development of an approved training programme leading to specialist qualifications in orthodontics. Capital funding of approximately €1.269 million was also provided to the orthodontics unit there for its refurbishment to an appropriate standard.

Furthermore, as part of the initiative, my Department is also exploring with health boards new arrangements for the treatment of patients, both by private specialist orthodontic practitioners and in out-of-hours sessions by health board orthodontists. Finally, the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board has advised me that at the end of the March 2002 quarter, there were 2,750 patients in orthodontic treatment in the board.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

462 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children when the children of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13086/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Kildare rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.