Written answers
Thursday, 22 October 2015
Department of Health
Orthodontic Service Provision
Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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299. To ask the Minister for Health to outline the extent to which the availability of orthodontic treatment can be improved in all areas without exception in light of the need to ensure the availability of the necessary corrective procedures at the appropriate time; the number of children and young adults currently in treatment; the number on waiting lists; the likelihood of early treatment for the latter, and the extent to which patients in categories one, two or three, respectively, can expect treatment within a reasonable time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/15]
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 (IOTN). Patients with the greatest level of need i.e. Grade 5 or Grade 4 are provided with treatment by the HSE. IOTN grades 1 to 3 are not considered severe enough to be treated within the public health system. The orthodontic waiting list figures for Q2 of 2015 are set out in the following table.
Number | Amount |
---|---|
No. of patients in active treatment | 17,241 |
No. of patients in retention following treatment | 5,576 |
No. of patients on Treatment Waiting List | 18,206 |
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