The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below only. The most recent information relates to the first quarter of 2014.
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment
|
1 - 6 months
|
7 - 12 months
|
13 - 24 months
|
2 - 3 years
|
Over 4 years
|
TOTAL
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster
|
897
|
838
|
913
|
1,244
|
52
|
3,944
|
HSE West
|
1,312
|
1,170
|
1,647
|
741
|
51
|
4,921
|
HSE South
|
567
|
410
|
835
|
1,501
|
24
|
3,337
|
HSE Dublin North East
|
305
|
571
|
930
|
1,169
|
520
|
3,495
|
TOTAL
|
3,081
|
2,989
|
4,325
|
4,655
|
647
|
15,697
|
Corresponding figures for the last quarter of 2013 are as follows:
Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment
|
1 - 6 months
|
7 - 12 months
|
13 - 24 months
|
2 - 3 years
|
Over 4 years
|
TOTAL
|
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster
|
823
|
723
|
1,056
|
973
|
178
|
3,753
|
HSE West
|
1,337
|
936
|
1,658
|
924
|
122
|
4,977
|
HSE South
|
620
|
516
|
829
|
1,056
|
373
|
3,394
|
HSE Dublin North East
|
440
|
783
|
855
|
842
|
496
|
3,416
|
TOTAL
|
3,220
|
2,958
|
4,398
|
3,795
|
1,169
|
15,540
|
Regarding 2012 and 2011, figures had been provided in a different format. Some figures are unavailable due to staff shortages in some areas. This issue has since been addressed by the HSE. Information available for 2012 and 2011 is as follows:
Orthodontic Treatment Waiting List 2012
Area
|
Grade 5
(formerly Category A)
|
Waiting Time
(Months)
|
Grade 4
(formerly Category B)
|
Waiting Time
(Months)
|
South Western
|
505
|
n/a
|
693
|
n/a
|
Mid-Leinster
|
441
|
n/a
|
456
|
36
|
Midland
|
175
|
16
|
980
|
n/a
|
Northern/North Eastern
|
1,375
|
5
|
1,519
|
|
South Eastern
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Southern
|
381
|
n/a
|
1,496
|
18
|
Western
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Mid Western*
|
1,252
|
24
|
|
|
North Western
|
332
|
12
|
219
|
21
|
* combined waiting list
Orthodontic Treatment Waiting List 2011
Area
|
Grade 5
(formerly Category A)
|
Waiting Time
(Months)
|
Grade 4
(formerly Category B)
|
Waiting Time
(Months)
|
South Western
|
504
|
14
|
537
|
26
|
Mid-Leinster
|
446
|
24
|
419
|
36
|
Midland
|
172
|
16
|
819
|
36
|
Northern/North Eastern
|
857
|
5
|
2,175
|
|
South Eastern
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Southern
|
373
|
n/a
|
1,575
|
18
|
Western
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
Mid Western*
|
1,148
|
24
|
|
|
North Western
|
256
|
12
|
212
|
20
|
* combined waiting list