Vol. 490 No. 4
21 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the guidelines for orthodontic treatment in view of the fact that the existing guidelines date from 1985; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10204/98]
112 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether a review of the guidelines in relation to qualification for orthodontic treatment is warranted, having particular regard to the fact that these guidelines are almost 15 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10372/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 112 together.
At the suggestion of my Department, an orthodontic review group has been set up by the health boards to examine a range of issues on orthodontic services including the 1985 guidelines. This group, which includes health board consultant orthodontists, is due to report to the chief executive officers of the health boards in the near future.
The objective of this review is to ensure equity in the provision of orthodontic treatment throughout the health boards having regard to the additional resources provided to health boards over the past few years under the dental health action plan for developments in orthodontic services.
