Vol. 503 No. 1
103 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will review the qualifying criteria for category II orthodontic treatment in view of the fact a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 is deemed ineligible under the scheme in spite of reporting serious dental problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9440/99]
As the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in Dublin 11 is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Health Board I have asked the chief executive officer of the Eastern Health Board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly as a matter of urgency.
At the request of my Department, an orthodontic review group was set up by the health boards to prepare a report and make recommendations on the orthodontic services. 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. As part of its remit the group has been looking at the criteria used in the clinical assessment of orthodontic cases to determine treatment need.
The group recently made its report to the chief executive officers of the health boards and the report is currently the subject of discussions between the chief executive officers and my Department.
