The provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance.
There are ten consultant orthodontists employed in the health boards. The number of specialist orthodontists currently employed in the orthodontic service is not readily available and I will write to the Deputy again in this regard.
The chief executive officers of the health boards have also informed me that at the end of the September 2001 quarter, there were 15,920 patients in orthodontic treatment and 11,995 patients awaiting orthodontic treatment in their boards. The waiting time for treatment varies between 12 to 48 months.
Structural changes are being introduced into the orthodontic service. These include the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics and auxiliary dental worker to work in the orthodontic area. In addition, six dentists for the Eastern Regional Health Authority, North-Eastern Health board and South-Eastern Health Board have commenced their training this month for specialist in orthodontics qualifications. This brings the total number in specialist orthodontic training for the health boards to nine.
The impact of both these structural changes and the orthodontic initiative on the orthodontic treatment waiting lists will be closely monitored by my Department to determine what other measures, if any, are required.