Brendan Smith
Question:35. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the long waiting times for orthodontic services in the north east. [48199/17]
View answerWednesday, 15 November 2017
Questions (35)
Written answers
The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Patients with greatest clinical need are prioritised for treatment.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to providing timely access to orthodontic care. In order to address long waiting times, the HSE has procured orthodontic services in primary care from a number of private service providers and a budget of €1 million per annum is being dedicated to this initiative which commenced in 2016. Approximately 400 patients from the north east are being treated under this programme. The HSE is also working on a programme to up-skill dental hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists and facilitate a greater throughput of patients. Four orthodontic therapists are now in place, including three in the north east.
Under EU Directive 201/24/EU, now commonly referred to as the Cross Border Directive, it is open to persons entitled to public patient healthcare in Ireland to choose to avail of that healthcare in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Assistance is provided by the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Department of the HSE on the operation of scheme. In 2016, 92 patients were approved by the HSE for orthodontic treatment.
The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy which is currently being finalised.