Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Jun 1996

Vol. 466 No. 5

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

36 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to resolve the current position whereby there can be a delay of up to six years in the provision of orthodontic services to children who require such services within the Eastern Health Board area; his views on whether the current service is adequate; whether the current service deprives children whose parents cannot afford private orthodontic care of an essential service to which they are entitled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9917/96]

Limerick East): My Department has agreed with the Eastern Health Board a framework for the development of its orthodontic services under the Dental Health Action Plan.

The board shares the services of a consultant orthodontist with the Dublin Dental Hospital. This consultant has a half-time commitment to the Eastern Health Board.
In 1995 I approved the appointment of two orthodontic consultant posts for the Eastern Health Board. As a result of this competition the board expects that a full-time consultant will take up duty with the board on 1 July 1996 and will be based in the new orthodontic unit under construction at St. James's Hospital. The board has re-advertised the second consultant post, with extensive advertising abroad. In addition, the board also plans to recruit seven additional dentists and support staff to work under the direction of the consultant orthodontist in the unit at St. James's Hospital.
During 1995 the board increased the number of orthodontists from two to five whole time equivalents.
Additional funds have been provided by my Department over the last number of years specifically for the development of orthodontic services in the Eastern Health Board area. Since 1995, under the Dental Health Action Plan, I have increased the annual allocation to the board by £65,000 to enable it to provide additional orthodontic treatment services. This additional funding will allow for the recruitment of additional dentists together with support staff to work under the overall direction and supervision of consultant orthodontists to provide an increased level of orthodontic treatment services. In addition I provided £250,000 capital moneys to the Eastern Health Board in 1995 to provide additional facilities and specialist equipment to assist in the provision of secondary care orthodontics.
Pending the full implementation of a consultant led orthodontic service the board has also entered into arrangements with a number of private orthodontists for the provision of services.
The board has, however, experienced considerable difficulties in developing its orthodontic services. The main problem is not one of resources. It is the problem faced by the board in securing the services of consultant orthodontists who can develop its services in accordance with the strategy outlined in the Dental Health Action Plan.
I agree that the situation whereby eligible patients are waiting for long periods of time for orthodontic services is not desirable. The board is, however, confident that as a result of the developments, I have outlined, the waiting periods for orthodontic treatment will be greatly reduced.
Barr
Roinn