Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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475. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the pilot scheme in the area of orthodontics currently in place in Dublin north-east which involves using orthodontic therapists; and the number of patients who will be treated under this pilot scheme in 2014 and in 2015. [37172/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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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. This course is being accredited by Dublin Dental Hospital, Trinity College and is one year in duration.

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. It is only when the students have successfully completed their course in September 2015 that they may be allocated patients to themselves, working under a treatment plan as designed by a specialist or consultant orthodontist. The programme is on a pilot basis only and not considered a routine part of the service.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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476. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for an assessment and the number of children waiting for treatment with the orthodontics service of the Health Service Executive with a breakdown based on each HSE region, including Dublin north-east; and if he will report on the average waiting times for patients seeking referrals and treatment with the orthodontics service. [37173/14]

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 i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. Information on waiting times is collated by the HSE by region and for the intervals as shown below. The most recent information on assessment and treatment waiting lists relates to the second quarter of 2014.