Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I can update the Deputy on the orthodontic waiting lists. As of April 2025, the HSE employs 14 consultant orthodontists and 36 specialist orthodontists nationally. There are almost 35 oral healthcare vacancies at the moment which the HSE is working to fill, including three specialist orthodontist whole-time equivalents, and a further 2.22 dental nurse whole-time equivalents. There are staffing challenges within orthodontic services in the Dublin and north-east region.

At present, both specialist orthodontists posts in Dundalk, which also serve Counties Cavan and Monaghan, are vacant. The HSE is sanctioned to fill those posts and is actively pursuing both temporary and permanent recruitment options. A locum consultant orthodontist post is also being considered. The region also has orthodontic units in Navan and Ashtown, which have a combined total of two consultant orthodontists and five specialist orthodontist whole-time equivalents, currently filled and providing care in the Dublin and north-east region. The HSE is engaged to address the best use of existing funded private procurement options to support delivery of orthodontic care in the region.

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