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Orthodontic Service Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014

Thursday, 8 May 2014

Questions (208)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

208. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of patients waiting on orthodontic treatment for zero to one month, one to three months, three to six months, six to 12 months, 12 to 24 months, and 24 to 36 months, together with the number of patients on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment at the end of 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/14]

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Written answers

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below only. The most recent information relates to the first quarter of 2014.

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment

1 - 6 months

7 - 12 months

13 - 24 months

2 - 3 years

Over 4 years

TOTAL

HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster

897

838

913

1,244

52

3,944

HSE West

1,312

1,170

1,647

741

51

4,921

HSE South

567

410

835

1,501

24

3,337

HSE Dublin North East

305

571

930

1,169

520

3,495

TOTAL

3,081

2,989

4,325

4,655

647

15,697

Corresponding figures for the last quarter of 2013 are as follows:

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment

1 - 6 months

7 - 12 months

13 - 24 months

2 - 3 years

Over 4 years

TOTAL

HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster

823

723

1,056

973

178

3,753

HSE West

1,337

936

1,658

924

122

4,977

HSE South

620

516

829

1,056

373

3,394

HSE Dublin North East

440

783

855

842

496

3,416

TOTAL

3,220

2,958

4,398

3,795

1,169

15,540

Regarding 2012 and 2011, figures had been provided in a different format. Some figures are unavailable due to staff shortages in some areas. This issue has since been addressed by the HSE. Information available for 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

Orthodontic Treatment Waiting List 2012

Area

Grade 5

(formerly Category A)

Waiting Time

(Months)

Grade 4

(formerly Category B)

Waiting Time

(Months)

South Western

505

n/a

693

n/a

Mid-Leinster

441

n/a

456

36

Midland

175

16

980

n/a

Northern/North Eastern

1,375

5

1,519

South Eastern

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Southern

381

n/a

1,496

18

Western

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Mid Western*

1,252

24

North Western

332

12

219

21

* combined waiting list

Orthodontic Treatment Waiting List 2011

Area

Grade 5

(formerly Category A)

Waiting Time

(Months)

Grade 4

(formerly Category B)

Waiting Time

(Months)

South Western

504

14

537

26

Mid-Leinster

446

24

419

36

Midland

172

16

819

36

Northern/North Eastern

857

5

2,175

South Eastern

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Southern

373

n/a

1,575

18

Western

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Mid Western*

1,148

24

North Western

256

12

212

20

* combined waiting list

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