Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:646 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of posts for consultant orthodontists currently filled and unfilled in each health board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24872/00]
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:647 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of teaching posts in orthodontics available and filled at present; the number of vacancies that exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24873/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:648 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of consultant orthodontists currently employed in the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24874/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 646 to 648, inclusive, together.
The position regarding consultant orthodontic posts is as follows:
|
Filled |
Unfilled |
|
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority |
2 |
1 |
|
Midland Health Board |
– |
1 |
|
Mid-Western Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
North-Eastern Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
North-Western Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
Southern Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
South-Eastern Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
Western Health Board |
1 |
– |
|
St James's Hospital |
1 |
|
|
Dublin Dental Hospital (Teaching Posts) |
3 |
|
|
Cork Dental Hospital (Teaching Posts) |
1 |
1 |
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:649 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children who have received initial orthodontic treatment to date in 2000; the number who received this treatment in 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24875/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:650 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children on the orthodontic waiting lists in each of the past five years; the way in which the orthodontic programme here compares with that available in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24876/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 649 and 650 together.
The provision of orthodontic treatment and the maintenance of information on numbers in treatment and waiting lists are the responsibility of the health boards. However, information available to my Department from a system of quarterly returns introduced last year is as follows:
End 1999
|
Numbers in treatment |
15,400 |
|
Numbers on assessment waiting lists |
14,312 |
|
Numbers on treatment waiting lists |
15,714 |
|
Numbers who completed treatment in 1999 |
3,476 |
Numbers who completed treatment for Eastern Regional Health Authority not available.
Numbers in treatment and awaiting assessment for Southern Health Board not available.
End September 2000
|
Numbers in treatment |
12,739* |
|
Numbers on assessment waiting lists |
18,712 |
|
Numbers on treatment waiting lists |
12,733 |
|
Numbers who completed treatment since1 January |
1,696* |
*Figures for ERHA not available
In regard to comparisons with other European countries I understand there is no State funded orthodontic service in Italy, Portugal, Spain or Greece. Orthodontic care is provided for children under public or private health insurance with patient charges in Belgium, France, Germany, Austria and Netherlands. Orthodontic care is provided free of charge through a salaried public service with orthodontic specialists in Denmark and Finland and in Norway and Sweden with patient charges for less severe cases. In the United Kingdom orthodontic care is provided for children through the NHS and the hospital dental service.