Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the guidelines set down by her Department for orthodontic treatment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16195/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Orthodontic Review Group, established by the HSE in 2006, finalised its report last year. One of the recommendations contained in the report relates to the guidelines originally issued in 1985. The Review Group made a unanimous recommendation to the HSE to replace these guidelines with new assessment criteria based on Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The national implementation of the proposed guidelines will ensure equity of access to treatment for all patients deemed eligible.

The implementation of the new guidelines relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.