Reforms Proposed for Children’s Orthodontic Treatment in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Executive has announced plans to change the funding system for orthodontic treatment for children.
Under the new proposals, most parents will be forced to pay for braces for their children. Health Minister Edwin Poots confirmed that the NHS will no longer fund orthodontic treatment for all children in Northern Ireland and only those who meet set criteria will qualify for funding. Minister Poots said that “cosmetic” braces will not be funded any longer as a result of increased financial pressure on the NHS budget.
The Northern Ireland Executive is proposing a grading system, which is used internationally, to determine whether children qualify for NHS funding. The grading system goes from 1 to 5, where 1 represents a perfect set of teeth and 5 represents severe orthodontic problems. Currently, children with grade 3, 4 and 5 teeth are entitled to free treatment, but the new system will provide funding for children with grades 4 and 5 only.
The British Dental Association has opposed the change, claiming that it would affect those from lower socio-economic groups and lead to discrimination, as parents on low incomes may struggle to afford the treatment their child needs.
Dr Michael McBride, the Chief Medical Officer, said that the proposals will ensure that children with the most severe orthodontic problems receive the treatment they need.
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