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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

David Stanton

Ceist:

528 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the centres where training in orthodontic surgery is taking place; the numbers being trained in each centre; the number which will qualify this year; the plans, if any, he has to expand the numbers being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18285/99]

David Stanton

Ceist:

529 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of qualified orthodontists, apart from consultant orthodontists, employed full-time by the health boards; the plans, if any, he has to include a long-term role for orthodontists in the orthodontic service by creating a grade or post for orthodontists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18286/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 528 and 529 together.

All health boards, other than the Midland Health Board, have established consultant led orthodontic units to provide orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan. Dentists working in these units receive in-service training under the overall direction and supervision of the consultant orthodontist. A number of the dentists working in the units have completed or are undertaking formal training programmes in association with an academic centre to achieve a post graduate qualification in orthodontics.

From information available to me from health boards I understand the current position to be as follows:

Health Board

Location of Consultant Unit

Dentists with post graduate qualifications in Orthodontics

Formal Training Arrangements

Eastern Health Board

St. James Hospital

5

The Board proposes to sponsor 1 dentist this year at Trinity College

Midland Health Board

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Mid-Western Health Board

St. Camillus Hospital, Limerick

2.6 WTE

none at present

North-Eastern Health Board

Our Lady's Hospital, Navan

Nil

2 dentists completing programmes this year. Proposal to train 2 more in association with Queens University, Belfast and Trinity College.

North-Western Health Board

Letterkenny/Sligo Hospitals

1

Nil

South-Eastern Health Board

Waterford Regional Hospital

Nil

Academic training at Guy's Hospital, London. No trainees at present. One student to sit M.Orth next year.

Southern Health Board

St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork

Nil

none at present

Western Health Board

Galway Regional Hospital

Nil

2 to commence this year at Trinity College

Plans for the expansion of the number of training places are being considered, in the first instance, by health boards in the context of the report made to the chief executive officers by the review group on orthodontic services and the setting up by the Dental Council of a specialist register which recognises a dental speciality in orthodontics. It is now a matter for the Dental Council to decide on formal structures for training of specialist orthodontists. The creation of a specialist post in orthodontics in the health services is recommended in the report of the review group on orthodontic services and is under consideration by my Department.
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