The aim of my Department is to promote the development of the treatment capacity of orthodontics in a sustainable way over the longer term. Given the potential level of demand for orthodontic services, the provision of those services will continue to be based on prioritisation of cases based on treatment need — as happens under the existing guidelines. These guidelines were issued in 1985 and are intended to enable the Health Service Executive (HSE), to identify in a consistent way those in greatest need and to commence timely treatment for them.
The HSE has informed my Department that it has established an Orthodontic Review Group. The terms of reference for the Group are:
to review the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee Reports;
to examine the recommendations within the operational remit of the HSE and to establish their status;
to conduct an analysis of the HSE's existing orthodontic delivery structure and capacity. Based on that analysis, to make recommendations in that regard;
the recommendations thus made to be costed and a time-frame for their implementation proposed.
The Orthodontic Review Group will report on its findings, including the issue of orthodontic need raised by the Deputy, to the Chief Executive Officer of the HSE.