Vol. 525 No. 2
134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the improvements he will make to the orthodontic services; if his attention has been drawn to the inordinately long waiting list and the potential pain and suffering and permanent damage to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24130/00]
186 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some children are awaiting dental treatment for up to six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24496/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 186 together.
I am aware of the difficulties in the orthodontic services. There has been considerable investment over the past few years under the dental health action plan in the setting up by the health boards of orthodontic services. All boards, with the exception of the Midland Health Board, have a consultant-led service in place. The Midland Health Board currently provides orthodontic services by arrangements with private orthodontists and hopes to be successful in recruiting a consultant from a recent competition.
I am continuing to develop the orthodontic services in accordance with the dental health action plan. This year I have made an additional £1.45 million available to the health boards on an ongoing basis for the further development of their orthodontic services. Despite these developments in the service waiting times for treatment are in some instances unacceptably high.
At my invitation, the health boards recently submitted proposals to me as to how waiting lists and waiting times for orthodontic treatment in their areas might be further reduced. I am considering these proposals in the context of the Estimates for 2001.
The report of a review of the orthodontic services – The Moran report – made to the chief executive officers made recommendations for the development of the services. My Department has now issued a comprehensive response to the various recommendations in the report.
