Debate contribution: HSC Dentistry: East Antrim
Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on .
- MLA
- Mr Robbie Butler
- Party at the time
- Ulster Unionist Party
- Date
- 12 October 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- HSC Dentistry: East Antrim
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786266
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. Access to general dental services remains a priority for me. Although the most recent dental statistics show a continued decline in patient registration across Northern Ireland, the rate of decline has reduced substantially compared with the previous year. In East Antrim specifically, the number of registered health service dental patients increased by 2% in the 12 months to June 2026. Although that is encouraging, I recognise that many people continue to face difficulties with accessing health service dental care. The wider decline in registration reflects a trend of general dental practitioners reducing their health service commitment and increasing private provision. On 16 September 2026, I published the general dental services cost-of-service review, which identified the gap between the current remuneration for providing health service dental care and the cost of delivery of that care. Publication of the review represents an important step towards reform. Officials are now progressing an options appraisal to consider measures that will improve patient access and support the long-term sustainability of health service dentistry across Northern Ireland, including in the Member's constituency of East Antrim. Residents of East Antrim who are not registered with a health service dentist and who have an urgent emergency or pressing dental condition may be able to access treatment through the dental access scheme. That scheme funds participating dental practices to provide appointments for unregistered patients who are experiencing dental problems. In addition, the enhanced child examination scheme is a regional initiative that supports improved oral health outcomes for children through enhanced preventative care, oral health advice and earlier intervention. Taken together, the initiatives demonstrate the Department's commitment to improving access to health service dentistry and to supporting better oral health outcomes for people throughout Northern Ireland, including in East Antrim.
297 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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