Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

579 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people currently on orthodontic waiting lists in each health board area; the average waiting time for assessment and initial treatment in each board area; the plans, if any, he has to reduce these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19991/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Waiting lists for orthodontic treatment are maintained by the health boards. The most recent information made available to my Department is for the quarter ended 30 June 2000 and is as follows:

Health Board	Waiting Time for Assessment	Waiting Time for Treatment	Assessment Waiting List	Treatment Waiting List
Eastern Regional Health Authority	1-5 years	1 year	10,202	987
Midland Health Board	3 months	1.5 years	20	247
Mid-Western Health Board	2-2.5 years	2-2.5 years	2,671	1,608
North Eastern Health Board	n/a	2-2.5 years	n/a	836
North Western Health Board	4 months	2.4-3 years	380	2,167
South Eastern Health Board	3 months	20 months	314	560
Southern Health Board	patients born in 1986 are currently being given appointments for assessment.	3-3.5 years	5,000 (app)	4,528
Western Health Board	–	3-3.5 years	769	2,233

Health board orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. This year I have provided an additional £1.45 million to health boards on an ongoing basis to further the development of their orthodontic services. At my request, the health boards have submitted proposals to me on how waiting lists and times for orthodontic treatment could be reduced in their areas. In response I have recently approved a number of measures for the Eastern Regional Health Authority to improve their service and I hope to clarify the matter with the remaining health boards in the near future.

Question No. 580 with Question No. 568.