John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 416: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to broaden the assessment criteria for orthodontic treatment where the assessment is carried out at primary school level for persons availing of the public health services; if essential orthodontic treatment will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a decision will be expedited on same. [1791/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for orthodontic services. I have asked the HSE to issue a direct reply to the Deputy regarding when a decision will be made on the provision of orthodontic treatment to the individual concerned.

The aim of my Department is to develop the treatment capacity of orthodontics in a sustainable way over the longer term and the Department is continuing to work with the Health Service Executive to achieve this aim. 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 HSE to identify in a consistent way those in greatest need and to commence timely treatment for them.

My Department has been informed by the HSE that at the end of the September 2005 quarter, there were 23,688 patients receiving orthodontic treatment in the public orthodontic service. This means more than twice as many patients are getting orthodontic treatment as are waiting to be treated and more than 7,000 extra patients are getting treatment from the HSE when compared with the September 2001 quarter. The improvement in quality of treatment and numbers being treated is directly attributable to the steps that have already been taken and will continue to be taken to ensure ongoing improvements to the service. The addition of 13 specialists in orthodontics to the service since 1 October 2005 will have a further significant impact on numbers in treatment and waiting lists.