Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2014
395. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health to outline his plans to deal with the serious backlog of patients waiting for orthodontic care in the Dublin north-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/14]
View answerThe HSE has recently established a pilot scheme in Dublin North East which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists in the treatment of a number of eligible children. In addition to the services provided by HSE staff, orthodontic treatment for certain categories of misalignment will be provided by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years. A national procurement process is currently underway and is due to be ready for commencement in January 2015. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for 4 years or longer. It is expected that these changes will have a positive impact on waiting times.
