Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
169 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons awaiting orthodontic treatment; the length of time they have been on waiting lists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31969/04]
View answerThe provision of orthodontic services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards-authority in the first instance. The chief executive officers of the health boards and the ERHA have informed my Department that at the end of the September 2004 quarter there were 11,041 patients awaiting orthodontic treatment with an average waiting period ranging from 12 to 48 months.
170 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have been given orthodontic treatment in the past 12 months; the number still awaiting treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31970/04]
View answerThe provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards in the first instance. Children in treatment in the health board orthodontic service receive between 18 to 24 appointments over the course of their treatment period of approximately two years. The chief executive officers of the health boards and the ERHA have informed my Department that at the end of the September 2004 quarter, there were 22,168 patients in receipt of orthodontic treatment and 11,041 patients awaiting orthodontic treatment. This means that there are over twice as many patients getting orthodontic treatment as there are waiting to be treated and more than 6,000 extra patients are getting treatment from the health boards and the ERHA since the end of the September 2001 quarter.
