Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Written Answers. - County Wexford Orthodontic Service.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

269 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that (a) there is a three-year waiting list for school children awaiting orthodontic assessment in County Wexford and (b) the children currently being called for assessment have been on the waiting list since October 1989; his views on whether adequate resources have been allocated to enable the South Eastern Health Board to provide an adequate orthodontic service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

Children seen by the South Eastern Health Board's school dental service from Wexford are referred for screening for orthodontic treatment in accordance with guidelines issued by my Department. Waiting times for specialist assessment and treatment vary depending on the severity of the orthodontic condition. Urgent cases, such as cleft palate, are treated as a matter of urgency.

There has been a significant improvement in the level of orthodontic services in the Wexford area as a result of the additional moneys made available by the Government since 1990. A full-time Consultant Orthodontist has recently taken up appointment with the South Eastern Health Board which will result in further improvement in the provision of orthodontic services in the region. This appointment will enable the board to develop a comprehensive orthodontic service and will facilitate the provision of training in orthodontics for the boards dental staff.