Vol. 536 No. 5
198 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children the current eligibility for free dental services and orthodontic treatment; the reason the current cut-off age is 14 years; if there are any plans to extend this to 18 years; the plans the Government has to extend the range of and eligibility for orthodontic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14703/01]
Under the Health Act, 1970, a child is eligible for orthodontic treatment on the basis of defects noted at a school health examination carried out while the child is attending a national school.
Children in specific classes in national school, usually in second, fourth and sixth class, are dentally screened and referred for orthodontic review as necessary. The priority of need for specialist orthodontic treatment is assessed according to the guidelines issued by my Department and children placed on the orthodontic treatment waiting list are called on the basis of priority need. There is no cut-off age for their orthodontic treatment.
The report of the review group on orthodontic services, entitled the Moran report, recommended that all health boards use the same severity index to determine need and that provision of orthodontic treatment should continue on the basis of priority need. There have been discussions between my Department and representatives of the health boards' chief executive officers on the report and its implications. Proposals in the report are being progressively implemented. Amendments to the orthodontic guidelines are being finalised with the health boards' chief executive officers and the review group on orthodontic services.
