Speaking during an Assembly debate today, the minister said that everyone is entitled to have dental treatment. He also outlined a range of measures which he has taken to address the problem, including a significant investment in health service dentistry.
One new initiative will be a large-scale tender for dental services from the independent sector. This will help provide additional services, particularly in access ‘blackspots’ where there are few health service dentists.
Michael McGimpsey said a range of measures had been taken to improve access to dental services: “Over the last financial year the department has invested an extra £7.9million in health service dentistry. Some of this money was to help dental practices with overhead costs. I also made £400,000 available to the boards to employ salaried dentists.
“I have also approved a tender for dental services from the independent sector. While there is a limited capacity among our high street dentists to provide additional services I know there are other interested parties operating in other parts of the UK who could.”
“We are also currently developing a bespoke dental contract for Northern Ireland with the British Dental Association. Legislation will be needed when the contract is agreed. We plan to pilot the new arrangements next year before rolling the contract out across all dental practices.
“Everyone in Northern Ireland should be able to access health service dentistry, no matter where they live and regardless of their circumstances and that is my aim.”
Notes to Editors:
- There are 735 high street dentists working in NI.
- You are exempt from dental treatment charges if you are:
- Aged 18 and under and in full-time education
- Pregnant or have given birth to a child within 12 months before treatment starts
- An inpatient and treatment is carried out by a hospital dentist *
- Are a health service dental service outpatient *
- (*there may be a charge for dentures and bridges)
- In receipt of certain social security benefits
