Vol. 524 No. 5
270 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has put in place to provide proper orthodontic treatment for patients in the North-Western Health Board; the steps he has taken to recruit a replacement orthodontic consultant as patients are not being treated at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22852/00]
The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the North-Western Health Board area is the statutory responsibility of that board. I have had inquiries made of the board who inform me that orthodontic services are provided in specially designated departments in both Sligo General and Letterkenny General Hospitals. The services are under the overall direction and supervision of a consultant orthodontist who attends both hospitals.
In addition to the consultant orthodontist the health board has the services of two dentists with specialist qualifications in orthodontics. Since 1999, the board also has the services of a specialist orthodontic registrar.
Health board orthodontic services continue to be developed in accordance with the dental health action plan. This year I am providing an additional £0.150 million to the Northern-Western Health Board on an on-going basis to further the development of their orthodontic services.
The North-Western Health Board has made numerous efforts to recruit additional dentists with specialist training in orthodontics whose numbers are limited nationally. This difficulty has led to an increase in the waiting list numbers. The board is also actively pursuing a number of options such as recruiting abroad to expand the complement of staff providing the service. If successful, these efforts should have a positive impact on the orthodontic waiting lists and lead to a reduction in waiting times.
The existing consultant orthodontist is due to retire in the near future. Interviews to fill the resultant vacancy have been held at the Local Appointments Commission and the board is awaiting their outcome.
At my invitation the North-Western Health Board has submitted proposals to me as to how orthodontic waiting lists might be significantly reduced and I will be responding to the board's proposals in the near future.
