Debate contribution: NHS Dentistry

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 28 April 2026.

MLA: Mr Alan Chambers
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 28 April 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: NHS Dentistry
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5510129

Text

I very much welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate today. There is not an MLA in the Building who will not be aware of the challenges that our constituents and, indeed, our families have been facing in relation to NHS dentistry. The frustration felt by our constituents is real and entirely understandable. In 2026, it is not just the challenge of finding a dentist who is willing to take on NHS patients but the scale of change in registration data that is really concerning. We need to remember that Northern Ireland is not alone in facing those pressures. NHS dental systems across these islands are under strain and are demonstrating similar trends. The legacy of the pandemic workforce challenges and contractual models have combined to create a perfect storm in every region and corner of the United Kingdom. Our dental practices are largely independent providers — a bit like our GPs but, perhaps, with even greater autonomy. Despite the major shift from the NHS to private dental work in recent years, most dentists, if not all, care deeply about their patients and want to deliver better oral health for them. When it comes to those who are still delivering NHS care, I recognise that the current general dental services contract bears little resemblance to today's economic and clinical realities. There is no doubt that registrations have lapsed massively in recent years, but we need to remain mindful that a huge number of patients have been removed for simply not engaging, despite many having had little reason to. That is one of the most challenging issues of all and one that, understandably, can create a real sense of unfairness. Yes, the concerns raised in today's debate are valid, but so are the Minister's proven efforts on the issue. In recent weeks, the Minister has again not sought to downplay the challenges. Crucially, he has taken real and tangible steps in an almost impossibly constrained financial environment. An additional £8 million investment in health service dentistry this year is not insignificant. It is targeted support to enhance fees for priority treatments, sustain child examination schemes and provide direct support to practices that continue to deliver NHS care. There is also investment in access through emergency dental clinics and the dental access scheme, which is targeted at those who are most in need, including unregistered patients who require urgent care. The recent unexpected announcement of the establishment of a new emergency clinic in the Western Trust area is a practical example of that focus. Importantly, the Minister is addressing workforce sustainability with additional dental foundation training places to help retain newly qualified dentists in the system. Those are not headline-grabbing reforms, but they are necessary stabilisation measures. Alongside that, the work on the cost-of-service review is essential. Getting that right matters, and it is absolutely essential that decisions are grounded in accurate data and reflect the real cost of delivering care. Dentists, in particular, I suspect, will make that case strongly. Meaningful reform of NHS dentistry will not happen overnight. It requires careful planning and sustainable funding. However, the previous trends are now pretty unsustainable, so I very much welcome the Minister's efforts in that regard. Perhaps the creation of a multi-year Budget, agreed across the Executive, would be a good place to start.

554 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