Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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788. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update in respect of the Health Service Executive orthodontic services, Dublin North East, being chosen as the national pilot scheme for the provision of training of hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists; the plans for those staff to work with specialist orthodontists on treatment cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33036/14]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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789. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether the proposed Health Service Executive training of hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists has been undertaken, and if it has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33037/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 789 together.

The HSE Dublin North East (DNE) Orthodontic Service has been chosen as the pilot area for this new training programme. One member of the dental hygienist staff and one member of the dental nursing staff have commenced training in September 2014. In the course of training these students will work under the direct supervision of specialist orthodontists currently working in HSE units in the treatment of a number of children eligible for HSE-funded orthodontic treatment. This course is being accredited by Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and is one year in duration.