Bernard J. Durkan
Question:447 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to improve the orthodontic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7410/03]
Written Answers - Orthodontic Service.
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the responsibility of the health boards/authority in the first instance. I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a number of measures have been taken to improve orthodontic services on a national basis.
The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the health board orthodontic service. This year, my Department and the health boards are funding 13 dentists from various health boards for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at two separate universities in the United Kingdom. These 13 trainees for the public orthodontic service are additional to the six dentists who commenced their training last year and one dentist whose specialist training is nearing completion. Accordingly, there is an aggregate of 20 public service dentists currently in training for specialist in orthodontics qualifications. These measures will complement the other structural changes being introduced into the orthodontic service, including the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area.
Orthodontic initiative funding of €4.698 million was provided to health boards/authority in 2001 and this has enabled boards to recruit additional staff, engage the services of private specialist orthodontic practitioners to treat patients and build additional orthodontic facilities.
In June 2002, my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health boards specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. This funding enables boards to provide both additional sessions for existing staff and purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners.
The chief executive officers of the health boards authority have informed me that at the end of the December 2002 quarter, there were 20,151 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This is an increase of approximately 2,856 patients in orthodontic treatment when compared with the number of patients receiving treatment in December 2001. I expect that the number of patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service will continue to increase as these measures impact further on the service.