Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1444. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the figures for children currently awaiting an orthodontic treatment place with particular reference to counties Louth and Meath. [37867/13]
View answer1445. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the processes undertaken with regard to time frames from initial referrals and sunsequent assessments, guidelines used in determining clinical need, details of various categories of patients on treatment waiting lists in respect of orthodontic treatment [37868/13]
View answer1446. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the current staffing levels in respect of provision of orthodontic treatment for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37869/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1444 to 1446, inclusive, together.
The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Orthodontic referrals are generally received via the Public Dental Service school screening programme. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. At the time of assessment those with urgent clinical need are prioritised for treatment. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable as it is sometimes necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. The most recent information regarding assessment and treatment waiting lists relates to the second quarter of 2013. The information is collated by the HSE for the intervals as shown only. Information for treatment waiting times is not broken down by year for waiting times of over 4 years.
|
Waiting time from referral to assessment |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
> 2 years |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1208 |
1225 |
- |
- |
2433 |
|
HSE West |
602 |
2510 |
90 |
39 |
3241 |
|
HSE South |
1731 |
138 |
- |
- |
1869 |
|
HSE Dublin North East * |
312 |
312 |
- |
- |
624 |
|
TOTAL |
3853 |
4185 |
90 |
39 |
8167 |
*Figures for Dublin North East above includes Louth and Meath. I have asked the HSE to provide the figures for Louth and Meath directly to the Deputy.
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 4) |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
371 |
403 |
594 |
534 |
15 |
1917 |
|
HSE West |
215 |
705 |
613 |
740 |
29 |
2302 |
|
HSE South |
138 |
91 |
157 |
934 |
103 |
1423 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
160 |
268 |
429 |
869 |
191 |
1917 |
|
TOTAL |
884 |
1467 |
1793 |
3077 |
338 |
7559 |
Grade 5
|
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 5) |
1 - 6 months |
7 - 12 months |
13 - 24 months |
2 - 3 years |
Over 4 years |
TOTAL |
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster |
491 |
343 |
365 |
190 |
1 |
1390 |
|
HSE West |
351 |
430 |
552 |
460 |
32 |
1825 |
|
HSE South |
188 |
872 |
338 |
256 |
88 |
1742 |
|
HSE Dublin North East |
181 |
363 |
435 |
366 |
3 |
1348 |
|
TOTAL |
1211 |
2008 |
1690 |
1272 |
124 |
6305 |
The HSE currently employs approximately 11.5 (WTE) Consultant Orthodontists and 39.5 (WTE) Specialist Orthodontists. The HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. The outcome of this review, which is near completion, will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and future demand for services.
