Vol. 508 No. 3
245 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason no dentists are receiving formal training in the consultant led orthodontic units in the Southern Health Board, the North Western Health Board and the Midland Health Board; the measures, if any, he will put in place to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/99]
I recently gave consent to the dental council for the opening of a register of dental specialists and to include in such register a division of orthodontics.
It is now a matter for the dental council, in accordance with the council's statutory responsibilities under the Dentists Act, 1985, to decide on formal structures for training specialist dentists in orthodontics.
I will expect the full co-operation of all health board consultant orthodontists and the two dental schools in the setting up of specialist training programmes for dentists working in the orthodontic units to meet the needs of the service.
