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 5786282
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I thank the Member for his supplementary question. There are workforce pressures throughout the health and social care system, and dentistry suffers from that same pressure. Opening up places requires resource, but we have no shortage of people who are willing to take up those posts. Extra funding was allocated in 2026-27 to support six additional dental foundation training places. We have to get ahead of the situation in order to anticipate the growing need, particularly of those who cannot access NHS dentistry, and to ensure that any future provision matches that growing need in the community across Northern Ireland. We have to remain agile in that regard and consider it on an annual basis.
115 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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