Written answers
Wednesday, 17 September 2014
Department of Health
Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists
Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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790. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown for current waiting lists for orthodontic services in the HSE Dublin north east region, specifically for counties Louth and Meath, outlining the timeframe patients have been on waiting lists; if there are plans to engage additional resources to manage these times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33038/14]
Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. 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. Patients are assessed by the HSE Orthodontic Service under the modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown in the tables. Louth and Meath are part of the HSE Dublin North East (DNE) region. The most recent information relates to the second quarter of 2014.
HSE Dublin North East
| Waiting time from referral to assessment | 1 - 6 months | 7 - 12 months | 13 - 24 months | >2 years | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Patients | 397 | 556 | 0 | 0 | 953 |
| Waiting time from assessment to commencement of treatment | 1 - 6 months | 7 - 12 months | 13 - 24 months | 2 - 3 years | Over 4 years | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Patients | 163 | 626 | 997 | 1,352 | 748 | 3,786 |
The HSE is aware of the need to address orthodontic waiting times and commissioned an independent national review of orthodontic services to give guidance as to what changes will be desirable. The review has been completed. The key issue highlighted by the review, which has assessed services nationally, is that the Orthodontic Service should be fully integrated within the Primary Care Service. This is under consideration by the HSE to be implemented as part of the HSE's reform programme. An initiative to reduce waiting times through the provision of additional services is also under consideration by the HSE and is likely to target those waiting the longest. In addition, a pilot scheme, which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists, has been introduced in the HSE DNE area.
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