Written answers

Wednesday, 15 November 2017

Department of Health

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Photo of Marc MacSharryMarc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to address the long waiting times for orthodontic services in the north west. [48214/17]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to those who have the greatest level of need and have been assessed and referred for treatment before their 16th birthday. Patients with greatest clinical need are prioritised for treatment.

The HSE has addressed concerns about facilities and staff at the Orthodontic Department in Letterkenny University Hospital, including the filling of a dental nurse vacancy. The HSE is also working on a programme to up-skill dental hygienists and dental nurses to become orthodontic therapists and facilitate a greater throughput of patients. Four orthodontic therapists are now in place nationally, including one in Galway.

Under EU Directive 201/24/EU, now commonly referred to as the Cross Border Directive, it is open to persons entitled to public patient healthcare in Ireland to choose to avail of that healthcare in another EU or EEA country or Switzerland. Assistance is provided by the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive Department of the HSE on the operation of scheme. In 2016, 92 patients were approved by the HSE for orthodontic treatment.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to providing timely access to orthodontic care. In order to address long waiting times, the HSE has procured orthodontic services in primary care nationally from a number of private service providers and a budget of €1 million per annum is being dedicated to this initiative which commenced in 2016. The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy which is currently being finalised.

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