Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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395. To ask the Minister for Health to outline his plans to deal with the serious backlog of patients waiting for orthodontic care in the Dublin North East region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49055/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE has recently established a pilot scheme in Dublin North East which will involve the use of orthodontic therapists in the treatment of a number of eligible children. In addition to the services provided by HSE staff, orthodontic treatment for certain categories of misalignment will be provided by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years. A national procurement process is currently underway and is due to be ready for commencement in January 2015. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for 4 years or longer. It is expected that these changes will have a positive impact on waiting times.