Orthodontic waiting lists longer than stated

AN article entitled 'We've got to train more orthodontists' (Examiner, March 20) indicated that Professor Brendan Drumm of the Health Service Executive finds its unacceptable that people are waiting 12-18 months for specialist dental treatment.

Unfortunately, the waiting list for orthodontic treatment in most health boards is far in excess of 12-18 months.

If Prof Drumm cannot be accurate about the length of orthodontic waiting lists, how can we trust his figures for the numbers of patients on A&E trolleys?

Prof Drumm says the HSE recently invested a lot of money in improving the service. Where did he spend the money and how much was spent?

Ian O'Dowling

Consultant Orthodontist

St Finbarr's Hospital

Douglas Rd

Cork