asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to sanction the provision of dental treatment for a person (details supplied) in County Galway as the sanction was sought by the Western Health Board, dental department, on the 8 October 1982.
Written Answers. - Dental Treatment Applicant.
32.
The person in question is awaiting fixed appliance orthodontic treatment, a type of treatment that is normally provided by dentists in private practice on behalf of the health boards. Since July 1981 the Department have been endeavouring to get agreement with the private orthodontists on a scale of charges for this expensive treatment and pending the conclusion of such an agreement the issue of authorisations to proceed with treatments was suspended.
Recently a scale of charges acceptable to both parties was arrived at. However, before they will undertake to treat health board patients on the basis of the new fee scale the orthodontists are seeking certain assurances from the Department. The Department have written to the orthodontists on this question and are awaiting their response at present.
A full-time post of consultant orthodontist in the Western Health Board is expected to be filled shortly and this will provide a new source of treatment for fixed appliance cases in the area.
Having regard to the foregoing, I am not in a position to say when the treatment of the person referred to can be proceeded with. However, I am most concerned at the delay in treating such cases and the Deputy can be assured that I will do all in my power to see that treatment is provided at the earliest opportunity.