Debate contribution: Dental Care

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 27 May 2025.

MLA: Mr Alan Chambers
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 27 May 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Dental Care
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4972161

Text

As an MLA, I am well aware that, in recent years and especially since the pandemic, it has become increasingly difficult for people to access health service dentistry. Whilst it is clear from regular media reports that access to NHS dentistry is a problem in every corner of the United Kingdom, there is an undoubted problem and challenge in Northern Ireland. Although the number of practices and dentists has remained broadly stable, the trend over a number of consecutive years has been that more and more opt to deliver greater private dentistry work instead of health service dentistry. The number of patients who are no longer registered — perhaps, it would be much more accurate to state that they have been deregistered — is a further clear illustration of the shift from NHS to private work. Whilst there are various reasons for the move to private dentistry, money is undoubtedly a driving factor behind it. Some people claim that delivering a National Health Service dentistry service is a loss-maker, but I note that that has been strongly refuted in the past. One thing is undeniable: private dental work is much more lucrative for individual dentists and practices. I am not sure whether, as the state, we could ever afford to fully reverse that, as it would come at an enormous cost. I am glad, however, that, despite the unprecedented funding challenges that face the health service locally, the Minister, like his predecessor, has decided to prioritise what limited funding exists for high-priority registered patients who are in need of urgent care. Initiatives such as the current dental access scheme, with a multimillion-pound budget allocated to it, have helped thousands of people across Northern Ireland, as has the enhanced child examination scheme. I know from engaging with the Minister that work has been under way on further initiatives, some of which will be innovative and unique to Northern Ireland. I welcome that, because no one — not us as MLAs, not the profession and especially not the patients — can be satisfied with the current state of NHS dental provision here.

350 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Awaiting analysis

This record has not been analysed yet. It is not counted in any total until it has been assessed.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reviews every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification