Dentists say funding plan will not transform services

The radical transformation needed for the survival of health service dentistry will not be delivered under proposals from the health minister, the British Dental Association (BDA) has said.

On Wednesday Mike Nesbitt provided details of a £7m investment in general dental services for 2025-26.

The chairwoman of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee said dentists were "hoping for more" following the proposed dental funding.

Ciara Gallagher said she understood the budgetary constraints Nesbitt was working under but was disappointed for patients and colleagues.

Nesbitt also announced the expansion of the Happy Smiles programme.

"Alongside these specific interventions, I am clear that the general dental services, as with other services, require sustained effort to ensure sustainability over the longer term," he said.

"My department is committed to advancing work on the long-term future of dental services, to ensure patients can continue to access care when they need it, whilst taking measures to ensure the service is sustainable."

Nesbitt said he had approved the commissioning of a review into the cost of general dental services, which should be completed by the end of 2026.

He said this would "provide a robust evidence base to inform how the service will develop over the coming years".

Ms Gallagher said the funding was "largely a continuation" of measures that were already in place and it would make "even more difficulties for patients to access care".

"That's why we cannot recommend these proposals as they stand to the profession," she said.

"We urgently need radical transformation of dental services here, but this isn't it.

"Despite the efforts of the minister, our question to the executive is how can dentistry be transformed with such a constrained health budget"A number of blue, white and gold Translink Goldliner busses are lined up outside Belfast Grand Central Station. The large station can be seen in the background with a number of windows visible. " class="sc-d1200759-0 dvfjxj"/>