Donegal orthodontic waiting lists
Deputy Pringle described long waits for orthodontic assessment and treatment in Donegal and the impact on a young constituent. The Tánaiste said oral health services remain difficult, more funding has been provided, and there are questions about efficiency and value for money.
Following on from our Private Members' debate yesterday, when I raised the chronic state of medical waiting lists, I want to talk about the specifics of orthodontic services in County Donegal. My office is dealing with a number of cases and recently constituents have written to me. One stated that their 14-year-old daughter has been two years on the waiting list just to be assessed for braces. She was told when she went on the waiting list that even after assessment, she could be another two years waiting for treatment. This is seriously affecting her self-confidence and getting her down. Another constituent wrote to say that their 16-year-old daughter has been referred and is waiting for an assessment by an orthodontic consultant for almost four years. This is surely unacceptable. They have been told that no assessments have taken place there since last March, that they do not even have the necessary equipment to do this assessment anyway and that they do not have the necessary and dedicated accommodation to provide the service. Does the Tánaiste think that is acceptable for the people of County Donegal? What is he going to do about rectifying the situation?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I do not have the specifics in respect of every county across the country at hand. There have been ongoing issues with the dental service and the reform of oral health services. Orthodontics have always been challenging, notwithstanding the unprecedented funding that has been allocated to the sector. We are probably better than most European countries due to our State-funded oral health care scheme for medical card patients in terms of fees.
Comment on this
That is a good way of putting it.
Comment on this
We are, in terms of the fees paid and so on. An additional €15 million was allocated in the budget for public oral healthcare services, bringing it to €200 million to address backlogs and longer term reform. There is an issue here about value for money, efficiency and about getting some return for that investment.
Comment on this
There is no return for investment.