Over 13,000 children waiting for treatment

MORE THAN 13,000 children who have been assessed as in need of orthodontic treatment are on waiting lists across the State, new figures show.

A further 7,000 children who have been referred for assessment by Health Service Executive dentists are waiting to be examined to establish if they are suitable for treatment.

The lists have grown by more than 20 per cent since 2008 and some children have been waiting more than 4½ years for treatment.

Orthodontic treatment is carried out by specialist orthodontists. It involves moving teeth using braces and other appliances to correct conditions such as crooked teeth, bad bite and jaw disharmony.

Under the HSE public system, only children with the most severe problems qualify for treatment.

In HSE South, almost 3,500 children assessed as being in the most severe categories have been awaiting treatment for up to 3½ years. They will have already waited, on average, 12 months to be assessed.

Almost 1,200 children in HSE West were waiting to be assessed at the end of 2011.

Two orthodontic consultants were employed here to work at six centres, along with 32 dental nurse assistants and three hygienists.

In the Dublin North East region, more than 3,000 children were waiting to begin their treatment at the end of 2011.

HSE figures show children here waited on average eight months to be assessed and then up to 3½ years to begin treatment if they qualified.

There was only one consultant orthodontist working in this region along with nine dental nurse assistants and three hygienists covering three health centres.

The waiting lists here have lengthened since 2008, when 2,339 children were awaiting treatment.

In addition, 672 children were waiting to be assessed, up from 222 in 2008.

In Dublin Mid-Leinster, more than 2,900 children were waiting to begin their treatment at the end of last year. In 2008, the figure was just over 2,000.

The numbers waiting to be assessed have almost doubled since 2008. Children wait an average of three months for assessment in the region and up to three years for treatment.

Five consultant orthodontists were employed here, along with 30 dental nurse assistants and two hygienists. Orthodontic treatment is available at eight centres in the region.

In HSE West, more than 3,600 children were waiting for their approved treatment for up to three years and almost 3,000 were waiting an average of eight months to be assessed.

The system here has deteriorated considerably since 2008, when 850 children were waiting to be assessed and just over 2,500 were awaiting treatment.

Four full-time orthodontic consultants and two on reduced hours were employed here to give treatment at 18 centres, along with 32 dental nurse assistants and three hygienists.

Almost 21,000 children across the State are receiving orthodontic treatment from a total of 12 full-time and two part-time consultants.

A HSE spokeswoman said it will be starting an “independent review” of orthodontic services this year. The review will look at “a number of service provision models”.

“The outcome of this review will give guidance as to what changes will be desirable to provide the best possible model of care delivery, given the current resources available and expected future demand for the services,” the spokeswoman said.