Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Services.

David Stanton

Ceist:

40 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, he will put in place to deal with the waiting lists for orthodontic treatment at the Southern Health Board orthodontic clinic at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13798/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Orthodontic services in the Southern Health Board are being developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. My Department has made additional resources available to the board for these developments.

There is now a specially designed and fully equipped orthodontic unit in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork. Six dental teams are attached to the unit working under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant. The unit also has a hygienist, dental surgery assistants and radiographer and secretarial support.

I have been advised by the board that it is in a position to extend treatment to approximately 1,200 new patients every year.

At the suggestion 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. The group recently made its report to the chief executive officers of the health boards and this report is currently the subject of discussions between the chief executive officers of the health boards and my Department.