Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today launched a consultation on Minimum Standards for Dental Care and Treatment in Northern Ireland.
The standards focus on local dental services and describe what patients can expect as a result of using them.
The Minister said: "These standards aim to ensure that patients receive consistently high quality care and treatment from Northern Ireland dental services."
The standards are targeted at patients, the profession and regulators. They also cover both health service and private dental care. With almost one million courses of dental treatment undertaken per year, it is important that the standards are presented in a format and language that are readily understood by patients, yet are still relevant to the profession and regulators
Notes to editors:
- The consultation document and response pro-forma is available at the DHSSPS website.
- The purpose of this consultation document is to provide background and information on the proposed new minimum standards for dental care and treatment in Northern Ireland and to seek views on these standards.
- These standards deliberately differ in format from other independent healthcare standards. There are several reasons for this. The standards are targeted at patients, the profession and regulators. They also cover both Health Service and private dental care. With almost one million courses of dental treatment undertaken per year, it is important that the standards are presented in a format and language that are readily understood by patients, yet are still relevant to the profession and regulators.
- Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0567, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
