Ray Burke
Ceist:309 Mr. R. Burke asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to improve the orthodontic service in view of the delays that exist at the moment.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
For the past few years special additional allocations have been provided specifically for the development of orthodontic services. As a result health boards have been able to increase their levels of orthodontic service provision. At current levels of treatment health boards are completing over 5,000 cases annually.
Consulant orthodontists have now been successfully recruited to the following boards: Mid-Western Health Board; North-Western Health Board; Southern Health Board; South-Eastern Health Board; Western Health Board and Eastern Health Board/Dublin Dental Hospital and School.
Health boards which have not so far been successful in recruiting consultants have made alternative arrangements with private specialists for the time being and will make further efforts to recruit consultants in the near future.
In addition to their own clinical involvement a primary duty of the newly recruited consultant orthodontists is to organise and carry out a programme of education and training in orthodontic procedures for existing health board dental staff. Further improvements in service levels will then be possible.
The Government is providing an additional £2 million in 1993 on improving the dental services in accordance with the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I understand the concerns the Deputy has expressed regarding the provision of orthodontic services. I can assure him that I will further improve the situation as resources become available to me.