Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Health if he wil provide information regarding the categories of persons based on clinical assessment with the orthodontist on the orthodontic treatment waiting list; the basis for the different categories such as 4d,5i,4f,4c, and all other categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48517/13]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the orthodontic treatment waiting list, on a county basis; the number of these persons that applied for treatment in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and earlier years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48518/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Health the degree to which orthodontic treatment requirements identified in the course of school medical examinations has been provided by way of follow-up; the waiting lists for such treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48547/13]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 179, 180 and 189 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 in accordance with the Modified Index of Treatment Need. The dental health component has five categories ranging from 1 (no need for treatment) to 5 (great need). Further sub-divisions of these categories are substantially based in accordance with the causes of malocclusion, e.g. misalignment of teeth. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment.

At the time of assessment those with urgent clinical need are prioritised. It should be noted that the nature of orthodontic care means that immediate treatment is not always desirable. It is estimated that in up to 5% of cases it is necessary to wait for further growth to take place before treatment commences. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below only. The most recent information relates to the third quarter of 2013.