Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

On behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, I am happy to address the issue raised by Deputy Kelleher.

Under the Health Act 2004, provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in the southern area is the statutory responsibility of the Health Service Executive, HSE. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children is aware of the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in the HSE southern region. It has been noted that some improvement has been made there, with a decrease of 555 in the assessment waiting list and of 1,230 in the treatment waiting list.

At the end of September 2005 almost 24,000 patients were receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. Over twice as many patients are getting orthodontic treatment as are awaiting treatment. More than 7,000 extra patients are receiving treatment now compared with four years ago. That tangible improvement will be further enhanced as the HSE develops the orthodontic services.

Developing the quality, standards, treatment capacity and outcomes of our orthodontic services in a sustainable way is an objective shared by the Tánaiste, the Department of Health and Children and the HSE. I believe that it will be supported by all clinicians and professionals involved in the public orthodontic services. To ensure best use of resources and develop treatment capacity in a sustainable manner, guidelines were introduced by the Department of Health and Children to enable the HSE to prioritise resources for those with the severest orthodontic conditions.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children carried out a review of orthodontic services that culminated in 2002 in the publication of its report, The Orthodontic Service in Ireland. The Joint Oireachtas Committee also published a follow-up during 2005. The Department, in conjunction with the HSE, is considering each of the recommendations set out in the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee. A range of measures to enhance the orthodontic services, both nationally and in the HSE southern region, has already been taken, and further improvements can be anticipated.

The grade of specialist in orthodontics has been created in the HSE's orthodontic service. The creation of that new grade has attracted orthodontists to work in the health service on a long-term basis. Over the last four years, the Department and the HSE have funded 22 dentists from various HSE areas for specialist in orthodontics qualifications at training programmes in Ireland and at three separate universities in the United Kingdom. A further four public dentists commence specialist training in October 2006. Those additional trained specialists will play a vital role in increasing the numbers in treatment and reducing waiting times. No one should have to wait any longer than necessary for clinically needed orthodontic treatment.

The Department's commitment to training development is manifested in the funding provided for the training of specialist clinical staff and the recruitment of a professor in orthodontics for Cork Dental School. That appointment at the school is facilitating the development of an approved training programme leading to a specialist qualification in orthodontics.

In recognition of the importance of that post at Cork Dental School, the Department has provided €2.7 million to the school to make further substantial improvements to training facilities there for orthodontics. That project has seen the construction of a state-of-the-art orthodontic unit and support facilities; it will support an enhanced teaching and treatment service for the wider region under the leadership of the professor of orthodontics. Cork Dental School has advised the Department that training will commence at the start of the next academic year, October 2006. As part of the training programme, orthodontic treatments will be provided at the dental school, and it is envisaged that this will have a further positive impact on waiting list numbers in the southern HSE area.

Orthodontics is unique in that the treatment period for a child is between 18 and 24 months, and each year thousands of children with varying degrees of need are placed on assessment waiting lists. That undoubtedly presents challenges for service delivery and will continue to do so. The aim is to continue to make progress to develop a high-quality, reliable and sustainable public orthodontic service.

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