asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious backlog in orthodontic treatment within the North Eastern Health Board, especially children listed for treatment in the county clinic, Cavan; the measures, if any, he proposes to take to alleviate this serious problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Treatment.
29.
On the basis of previous experience only about half of the children awaiting orthodontic assessment in the North Eastern Health Board will have conditions warranting treatment. There is a substantial waiting list for orthodontic assessment in the county clinic, Cavan. Elsewhere throughout the health board there are no serious backlogs. The backlog in Cavan has arisen mainly due to difficulties over the past few years in maintaining the approved complement of dentists in the health board service. At present the dental staff complement is at full strength and I am hopeful that, allied with the assistance of private orthodontists, it will be possible to make progress in reducing the waiting list for orthodontic assessment and treatment in Cavan.