Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of children on waiting lists for orthodontic treatment; the average waiting period for such treatment; the number of orthodontists available for such work; the number of such children who have received treatment in the past 12 months; the number likely to receive treatment in the next 12 months; if it is intended to send such patients to other juris dictions for urgent treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25820/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

193 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of children awaiting orthodontic treatment in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25821/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of orthodontic treatment to patients in County Kildare is the statutory responsibility of the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the first instance.

The breakdown of orthodontic waiting lists by county is not routinely collected by my Department. I have, therefore, asked the chief executive officer of the ERHA to look into the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.