The provision of orthodontic services is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. I have initiated a range of measures to substantially increase the capacity of the orthodontic services and reduce the waiting times for orthodontic treatment.
Structural changes are being introduced into the orthodontic service such as the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics, the development of specialist training programmes and the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist to work in the orthodontic area.
My Department has provided additional funding of 0.932 million for orthodontic services in 2002 of which 541,000 was for a specialist training programme in orthodontics. Six dentists from the health boards, four of which are from the Eastern Regional Health Authority, commenced their training for specialist in orthodontics qualifications last October. Discussions on providing an additional training course to commence in 2002 are also under way.
My Department has funded the appointment of a director of specialist training for the Irish Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry through the Post Graduate Medical and Dental Board. The director has taken up duty and will play a pivotal role in assisting the different agencies involved in dental specialist training programmes.
In 2001, I provided an additional 2.971 million for the orthodontic service in the ERHA of which 2.044 million was for an initiative. Under this initiative, the authority has recruited additional staff including two consultant orthodontists and two specialists in orthodontics. A six surgery facility and a five surgery facility at Loughlinstown regional orthodontic unit and St. James's Hospital orthodontic unit, respectively, have also been developed.