asked the Minister for Health in view of the lack of success by the Eastern Health Board in filling the position of consultant orthodontist, if he will consider alternative arrangements that might be made either with private orthodontists or with other health boards so that the many people on waiting lists, many of them for several years and for vitally important treatment, could be dealt with.
Written Answers. - Orthodontist Post.
609.
The Eastern Health Board avail of the services of orthodontists in private practice to a limited extent. They do not have the financial resources necessary to make more extensive use of their services. Other health boards are not in a position to help out since they too have waiting lists of persons awaiting orthodontic treatment and there are as yet no full time consultant orthodontists in any of the health boards. The Local Appointments Commission will be re-advertising the consultant orthodontist post in the Eastern Health Board at the earliest opportunity and the board are hopeful that a suitable applicant will be found.