Vol. 527 No. 5
171 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide a comprehensive schools dental service with full orthodontic backup to ensure that attention is given to patients in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29146/00]
The provision of dental care is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Health boards have adopted a planned targeted approach to the delivery of dental services to national school children and have phased out a demand led system. This is to ensure the optimum use of dental resources and equal access for all national school children to the same level of dental care.
The school based approach puts an important emphasis on dental health education and prevention. Dental health education programmes are now available to all national schools. Children in specific classes in national school, usually second, fourth and sixth class, are targeted for preventive measures under the school based approach; the children in these classes are screened and referred for treatment as necessary. The provision of fissure sealants for vulnerable teeth is an important element of the preventive programme. The programme has been specifically designed to ensure that children are dentally fit before they leave national school. The screening provided in second, fourth and sixth classes ensures that follow up appointments for examination, treatment or orthodontic review are made, as necessary, with the dental surgeon in the clinic designated for the particular school(s). The small number of children who require more frequent attention are identified and the required level of advice, check-ups, treatment, etc., is provided as necessary.
Children are eligible for dental treatment up to their 16th birthday.
An emergency service for acute conditions requiring immediate attention is available on demand.
I am fully satisfied that the school based targeted approach is the most effective way of delivering dental services to children at primary school level.
I accept that there are difficulties in providing an adequate orthodontic service for children where a need for such treatment has been identified through the school-based target approach for the delivery of dental services. Waiting times for orthodontic treatment are unacceptably long.
