Children Face Seven-Year Wait For Corrective Dental Treatment

Tue, 11 Mar 2008

Over 10,000 children with severe dental problems throughout England are being forced to wait up to seven years for corrective treatment on the NHS, according to new research.

Orthodontists from around the country have warned that the long delays for treatment can sometimes lead to the problem becoming much more serious. These can include jaw deformities and an inability to bite properly.

The specialists also said the government's introduction of an 18-week waiting time target for orthodontics at the end of the year was unrealistic and would only lead to patient treatment being further rationed.

Research by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) has revealed that children with serious conditions in at least seven hospital catchment areas in England were having to wait more than four years for hospital treatment .

One area of the north east was found to have a seven year waiting list for children, while another was shown to have a treatment delay of five and a half years.

According to some Orthodontist reports, some children turn 18 while waiting to be assessed for care, therefore losing their chance of surgery on the NHS .

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health commented: "The department is aware of the variations in provision of orthodontic treatment and has given help to primary care trusts in assessing and reviewing future orthodontic services ."
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