I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together.
The provision of orthodontic services is a matter for the health boards. I have taken a number of measures to improve services on a national basis.
The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the health board orthodontic service. In 2003 my Department and the health boards funded 13 dentists from various health boards for the grade at training programmes in Ireland and three separate universities in the United Kingdom. The 13 trainees for the public orthodontic service are additional to the six dentists that commenced their training in 2001. There is an aggregate of 19 dentists in specialist training for orthodontics. These measures will compliment the structural changes being introduced in the orthodontic service, including the creation of an auxiliary grade of orthodontic therapist.
My Department's commitment to training development is manifested in the funding provided to the training of specialist clinical staff and the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics for the Cork Dental School. The appointment will facilitate the development of an approved training programme leading to specialist qualification in orthodontics. The Southern Health Board's CEO reported that the professor commenced duty on 1 December 2003. In recognition of the importance of the post at the Cork Dental School my Department approved, in principle, a proposal from the school to substantially improve its training facilities for orthodontics. The project should see the construction of a large orthodontic unit and support facilities. Ultimately, it will support an enhanced teaching and treatment service to the wider region under the leadership of the professor of orthodontics.
Under an orthodontic initiative a sum of €4.698 million was provided to the health boards and authority in 2001. It enabled health boards to recruit additional staff, engage the services of private specialist orthodontic practitioners to treat patients and build additional orthodontic facilities.
In June 2002 my Department provided additional funding of €5 million from the treatment purchase fund to health boards specifically for the purchase of orthodontic treatment. It enabled boards to provide additional sessions for existing staff and to purchase treatment from private specialist orthodontic practitioners.
The CEOs of the health boards and authority have informed me of the following information about their waiting lists for December 2003:
|
Assessment Waiting List
|
Treatment Waiting List
|
|
|
Average Waiting Time (months)
|
Category A
|
Average Waiting Time (months)
|
Category B
|
Average Waiting Time (months)
|
SWAHB
|
291
|
3 — 6
|
644
|
< 10
|
474
|
< 12
|
ECAHB
|
100
|
1 — 3
|
52
|
< 6
|
148
|
< 24
|
NAHB
|
179
|
3 — 6
|
45
|
< 12
|
2,220
|
< 24
|
MHB
|
287
|
4
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
210
|
12
|
MWHB
|
2,432
|
24 — 36
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
642
|
24 — 36
|
NEHB
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
9
|
1.5 — 2
|
278
|
12 — 18
|
NWHB
|
990
|
5
|
156
|
7
|
638
|
28
|
SEHB
|
283
|
3 — 3.5
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
644
|
17
|
SHB
|
4,034(12 years or older)
|
According to date of birth (currently 1990)
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
3,301
|
42
|
WHB
|
654
|
10
|
Nil
|
No waiting time
|
759
|
38
|
The CEOs have also informed me that at the end of the December quarter 2003 there were 21,295 children receiving orthodontic treatment from the public orthodontic service. This means that there are over twice as many children getting orthodontic treatment as there are children waiting to be treated. An extra 4,000 children have received treatment from the health boards since the end of 2001.