Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
475. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the pilot scheme in the area of orthodontics currently in place in Dublin north east which involves using orthodontic therapists; and the number of patients who will be treated under this pilot scheme in 2014 and in 2015. [37172/14]
View answerThe HSE Dublin North East (DNE) Orthodontic Service has been chosen as the pilot area for this new training programme. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff have commenced training in September 2014. This course is being accredited by Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and is one year in duration.
In the course of training these students will work under the direct supervision of specialist orthodontists currently working in HSE units in the treatment of a number of children eligible for HSE-funded orthodontic treatment. It is only when the students have successfully completed their course in September 2015 that they may be allocated patients to themselves, working under a treatment plan as designed by a specialist or consultant orthodontist. The programme is on a pilot basis only and not considered a routine part of the service.
