Deputy Denis Naughten has learned there are over 2,600 children in Galway, Roscommon and Mayo currently on the orthodontic waiting lists with some children waiting three years to start treatment.
Commenting on information received from the Minister for Health Denis Naughten said: “Clearly the lack of investment in this area has had a direct impact and is what can only be described as scandalous.”
At present children in the West, which has 50% more on the waiting list than the national average, are having to wait over five years for the completion of treatment and this could be after waiting until they reach secondary school to get on the waiting list in the first place.
“Due to this many children have to face an intolerable level of bullying from their peers and this can lead to other social problems at a future date,” stated Denis Naughten. “It is even worse when we realise that some girls sitting side by side in school will have access to orthodontic treatment years earlier, just because of their address.
“Many parents are at their wits end and have to face the prospect of getting a substantial loan to have this work performed privately. While dental treatment is allegedly free for children, only those with the ability to pay can ensure that their children are properly treated or avail of the treatment abroad scheme.
“While I welcome the announcement by the Minister that she intends to appoint additional private orthodontists to clear the backlog, I also believe that families who can avail of treatment in Northern Ireland should be facilitated in availing of the treatment abroad scheme.
“All children should be guaranteed treatment within one year of diagnosis and, should this timeframe not be adhered to, they should be provided with vouchers to enable them to access services privately or outside the State if necessary.”
ENDS
EDITOR’S NOTE: Please find attached Dail reply on this issue.
QUESTION NOS: 474 & 475
DÁIL QUESTIONS addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Kathleen Lynch)
by Deputy Denis Naughten
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 17/11/2015
* 474. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list to receive orthodontic treatment; the number of children who were on a public waiting list, and who have had their treatment paid for privately by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 17th November, 2015.
* 475. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children on a waiting list to receive orthodontic treatment in Galway University Hospital; the number who were on a public waiting list, and who have had their treatment paid for privately by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Denis Naughten T.D.
For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 17th November, 2015.
REPLY.
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. The number of patients on the orthodontic treatment waiting list at the end of Q2 of 2015 was 18,206 nationally. There are currently 2,663 patients awaiting commencement of treatment in Galway University Hospitals.
A national procurement process is currently underway to provide treatment for certain categories of misalignment by a panel of independent practitioners under contract to the HSE over the next three years, with consideration of an extension to four years. This initiative will especially focus on those waiting for four years or longer. Tenders are currently being evaluated and it is expected that contracts will be awarded by the end of 2015. It is expected that this initiative will have a positive impact on waiting times.
Under EU Directive 201/24/EU, now commonly referred to as the Cross Border Directive (CBD), 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. Such patients are reimbursed to a maximum of the level of cost that would have been assumed if this healthcare had been provided in this jurisdiction. The care must be provided outside the State and may be availed of in the public or private sector.
I have asked the HSE to investigate the extent to which it has funded CBD or any private orthodontic treatment and to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.