Written answers

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Department of Health

Orthodontic Services Provision

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1444. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the figures for children currently awaiting an orthodontic treatment place with particular reference to counties Louth and Meath. [37867/13]

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1445. To ask the Minister for Health the processes undertaken with regard to time frames from initial referrals and sunsequent assessments, guidelines used in determining clinical need, details of various categories of patients on treatment waiting lists in respect of orthodontic treatment [37868/13]

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1446. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the current staffing levels in respect of provision of orthodontic treatment for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37869/13]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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1551. To ask the Minister for Health the numbers of medical cards that have been issued to patients determined as being terminally ill or, in receipt of palliative care, in 2012 and 2013 to date, within 48 hours of receipt of application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38445/13]

Photo of Alex WhiteAlex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1444 to 1446, inclusive, and 1561 together.

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Orthodontic referrals are generally received via the Public Dental Service school screening programme. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. At the time of assessment those with urgent clinical need are prioritised for treatment. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable as it is sometimes necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Patients with the greatest level of need, i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. The most recent information regarding assessment and treatment waiting lists relates to the second quarter of 2013. The information is collated by the HSE for the intervals as shown only. Information for treatment waiting times is not broken down by year for waiting times of over 4 years.

Waiting time from referral to assessment1 - 6 months7 - 12 months 13 - 24 months > 2 yearsTOTAL
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster12081225--2433
HSE West 602251090393241
HSE South1731138--1869
HSE Dublin North East *312312--624
TOTAL3853418590398167

*Figures for Dublin North East above includes Louth and Meath. I have asked the HSE to provide the figures for Louth and Meath directly to the Deputy.

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 4)1 - 6 months7 - 12 months 13 - 24 months2 - 3 yearsOver 4 yearsTOTAL
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster 371403594534151917
HSE West 215705613740292302
HSE South 138911579341031423
HSE Dublin North East1602684298691911917
TOTAL8841467179330773387559

Grade 5

Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment (Grade 5)1 - 6 months7 - 12 months 13 - 24 months2 - 3 yearsOver 4 yearsTOTAL
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster 49134336519011390
HSE West 351430552460321825
HSE South 188872338256881742
HSE Dublin North East18136343536631348
TOTAL12112008169012721246305

The HSE currently employs approximately 11.5 (WTE) Consultant Orthodontists and 39.5 (WTE) Specialist Orthodontists. The HSE has commissioned an independent review of orthodontic services. The outcome of this review, which is near completion, will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and future demand for services.

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