Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Questions (236)

Michael McGrath

Question:

236. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and for orthodontic treatment in Cork City and County; the steps being taken by the Health Service executive to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54566/13]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 third quarter of 2013.

Waiting time from referral to assessment

HSE South	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	>2 years	Total
-	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting	No. of Patients waiting
-	639	933	160	89	1,821

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment Grade 4

HSE South

Number of Patients waiting

1 - 6 months

7 - 12 months

13 - 24 months

2 - 3 years

Over 4 years

TOTAL

133

152

933

237

1,546

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment – Grade 5

HSE South	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting	Number of Patients waiting
-	1 - 6 months	7 - 12 months	13 - 24 months	2 - 3 years	Over 4 years	TOTAL
-	536	333	392	307	-	1,568

Figures for HSE South above includes Cork City and County. I have asked the HSE to provide the figures for Cork City and County directly to the Deputy.

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.