Vol. 520 No. 5
133 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Health and Children the criteria whereby dental patients are categorised for orthodontic treatment in the North Western Health Board and nationally; the categories currently being treated; if all categories will be dealt with within a given time frame; and if he would outline such a time frame. [16287/00]
My Department issued guidelines in 1985 to health boards on the classification of cases awaiting orthodontic treatment in descending order of severity or handicap. Category A: The most severe cases e.g. cleft lip and palate. Category B: Cases with a functional handicap e.g. marked disproportion between the upper and lower jaws. Category C: Non-handicapping cases but having a need for treatment.
The North Western Health Board, and a number of other health boards, are currently using a severity index, which is known as the index of treatment need – IOTN. This index details a methodology for assessing the need for treatment. The IOTN has five categories ranging from 1, no need for treatment, to 5, great need. In the North Western Health Board, patients in categories 4 and 5 currently receive orthodontic treatment. In general, boards using the IOTN provide treatment to category 5, the category of greatest need, and extend treatment to category 4 as resources permit.
In the North Western Health Board, the waiting time for treatment for category 5 patients is less than a year while the waiting time for category 4 patients is currently three years. Waiting times in other boards using the IOTN are similar.
A recommendation in the report of the review group on orthodontic services, "The Moran Report", is that all health boards adopt the IOTN to prioritise patients for treatment. A comprehensive response to health boards on the implementation of the recommendations in the Moran Report will be issued by my Department very shortly.
Health board orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. This year I am providing an additional £1.45 million to health boards on an ongoing basis to further the development of their orthodontic services.
