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
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- HSC Dentistry: East Antrim
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5786270
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for her question. There are a lot of things to consider in this regard. I do not like the position in which we find ourselves regarding dental waiting lists and access to dentists, but I do not think that there has been inaction for 10 years. We are in that position because we have been underfunded and under-politicked. We could have been facing a much better situation, however steps are being taken. It is essential that we have a sustainable dental workforce to improve health service dentistry. Additional funding was provided in 2026-27 to support six additional dental foundation training places, increasing opportunities for newly qualified dentists to undertake their training in Northern Ireland. That investment will help to strengthen the dental workforce pipeline and forms part of the wider work to support the long-term sustainability of dental services and improve access for patients across Northern Ireland.
151 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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