Sir, - I refer to a letter concerning the Eastern Health Board's orthodontic service (November 4th). I wish to confirm that the Eastern Health Board provides orthodontic services to eligible patients in its area in line with Department of Health protocols. These protocols were established to ensure that treatment is made available in a fair and equitable manner to those who need it most.
The Eastern Health Board holds and continues to hold an "orthodontic list" which was established for assessment purposes. The board also holds a second list, "an orthodontic treatment list" of those patients assessed as eligible for treatment. At assessment, patients who are determined ineligible with reference to the protocols are advised accordingly. If a patient presenting is not (a) dentally fit with regard to good oral hygiene (b) free of decay and (c) free of periodontal problems, that patient is not put on the orthodontic treatment list, is informed accordingly, and is advised on steps to be taken to overcome his/her dental problems. The Eastern Health Board's dental and orthodontic staff make every possible effort to ensure that the foregoing is clearly understood by all concerned.
The Eastern Health Board wishes to assure members of the public that if a patient's dental needs meet the Department of Health protocols and the patient is dentally fit he/she will receive treatment within a reasonable waiting period. - Yours, etc.,
Programme manager, Community Services, Eastern Health Board, Dublin 8.