Jim O'Keeffe
Question:76 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines in operation entitling a person to orthodontic treatment through a health board or school scheme. [8545/03]
Vol. 563 No. 6
76 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines in operation entitling a person to orthodontic treatment through a health board or school scheme. [8545/03]
As the Deputy is aware, statutory responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons rests with the health boards in the first instance.
The statutory background governing the entitlement of children to dental treatment under the health board dental service is section 67 of the Health Act, 1970. Under this section, the children eligible for health board dental services are pre-school and national school children in respect of defects noted at child health examinations. Child health examinations are provided by health boards to children attending a national school.