Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Jul 2001

Vol. 540 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

277 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason he has not replied to a request from the Southern Health Board in February 2001 for advice as to the guidelines which are to be used by the health board when assessing children to determine their eligibility for orthodontic treatment; and when he intends to communicate with the board on the matter. [19932/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of orthodontic treatment services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. In 1985, my Department issued guidelines to health boards on the criteria applicable in assessing priority of need for specialist orthodontic treatment; the guidelines are based on the degree of handicap and severity of malocclusion which prioritises need for treatment.

The report of the review group on orthodontic services –"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 board chief executive officers on the report and its implications. Proposals in the report are being progressively implemented. Amendments to the 1985 guidelines are being finalised with the health board chief executive officers and the review group on orthodontic services.