Paul Bradford
Ceist:209 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the number of orthodontic appointments which were issued in the Southern Health Board area during each of the years 1988 to 1991.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.
Paul Bradford
Ceist:210 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are awaiting orthodontic treatment in the Southern Health Board area; his views on whether sufficient resources are available to provide an adequate service to these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.
Information is not available in my Department on the numbers of appointments issued by the Southern Health Board for the provision of orthodontic treatment. However, I understand from the Southern Health Board that since 1989 the number of orthodontic cases undergoing treatment under direction or supervision of a consultant or specialist orthodontist each year was as follows: 1989, 2,188; 1990, 2,132; and 1991, 2,772.
The number of appointments offered to each individual varies. However, there are approximately 12 appointments per completed treatment at consultant/ specialist level. In addition a significant number of orthodontic treatments were carried out each year at primary care level by the board's dentists.
I understand from the Southern Health Board that a total of 347 children are currently awaiting the provision of orthodontic treatment and a further 755 children are awaiting assessment in order to validate the numbers of children requiring or seeking treatment compared to the time when they were originally placed on the list.
My Department have provided additional funding to the Southern Health Board specifically for orthodontic treatment and the increased funding has enabled the board to recruit a full time consultant orthodontist.
This appointment will enable the board to provide a comprehensive orthodontic service and will facilitate the provision of training in the specialty for the board's dental staff.