The provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards-authority in the first instance.
The chief executive officers of the boards have informed my Department of the following information on their orthodontic assessment and treatment waiting lists as at the end of September 2004:
|
Assessment Waiting List
|
Treatment Waiting List
|
Health Board
|
|
Average waiting time (months)
|
Category A
|
Average waiting time (months)
|
Category B
|
Average waiting time (months)
|
SWAHB
|
416
|
3-6
|
745
|
12
|
541
|
24
|
ECAHB
|
81
|
< 3
|
55
|
< 6
|
194
|
< 12
|
NAHB
|
143
|
3 -6
|
149
|
< 18
|
2,418
|
< 36
|
MHB
|
229
|
3
|
Nil
|
No Waiting Time
|
344
|
18
|
MWHB
|
2,737
|
24-36
|
Nil
|
No Waiting Time
|
657
|
24-36
|
NEHB
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
3
|
1.5-2
|
197
|
18
|
NWHB
|
2,536
|
8
|
298
|
10.5
|
1,080
|
30.5
|
SEHB
|
203
|
1.5-2
|
Nil
|
No Waiting Time
|
519
|
17
|
SHB
|
3,171
|
According to Date of Birth. Currently 1990
|
Nil
|
No Waiting Time
|
3,111
|
42-48
|
WHB
|
633
|
12
|
Nil
|
No Waiting Time
|
730
|
33
|
Patients in category A require immediate treatment and include those with congenital abnormalities of the jaws such as cleft lip and palate, and patients with major skeletal discrepancies between the sizes of the jaws. Patients in category B have less severe problems than category A patients.