Dáil Éireann - Volume 376 - 01 December, 1987

Written Answers - Orthodontic Services.

Mr. P. O'Malley Mr. P. O'Malley

43. Mr. P. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health the measures, if any, he will introduce to improve the orthodontic service in health board areas.

Mr. M. Higgins Mr. M. Higgins

45. Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontists employed in each health board area; if he has satisfied himself regarding the present level of orthodontic provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon) Rory O'Hanlon

150

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon): I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 45 together. Every dentist is qualified to [150] and provides a certain degree of orthodontic treatment but the more complicated cases require the services of specialists in the field. Six posts of consultant orthodontist have been approved for the health board service but only one such post has been filled to date. Every effort is being made to recruit suitable persons to fill the vacant posts. The post that has been filled is the one for the Mid-Western Health Board. Special arrangements have been made between the Eastern Health Board and Dublin Dental Hospital to treat eligible children in the Eastern Health Board area by or under the guidance of the consultant orthodontists on the hospital staff. A certain amount of orthodontic treatment of eligible patients is also carried out by orthodontists on the staff of the Cork dental school. In addition the health boards avail of the services of orthodontists in private practice to provide treatment for eligible persons. In all health boards, priority in the provision of orthodontic care is granted to children with a handicapping condition such as cleft palate.

Dáil Éireann 376 Written Answers Orthodontic Services.

Questions

19871201