The British Dental Association (BDA) says the very survival of Health Service dentistry needs radical transformation, but the proposals announced by the Health Minister aren’t it.
The professional body and trade union for dentists has called for immediate short-term ‘bridging’ support for dental practices as a lifeline to cover costs. This would be an interim measure while the Assembly’s Cost of Service review* for 2025-6 is in under way.
This follows a meeting yesterday with the Health Minister who outlined his Department’s ‘General Dental Service Investment Proposals for 25/26’ to BDA representatives, following a debate on access to dentistry in Stormont (27 May).
During the debate, MLAs cited concerns raised by the BDA with the Health Minster since last February, that the very survival of practices delivering Health Service dentistry requires immediate financial support and cannot wait until the payment review for 2025-6, expected by next March. The consensus is that the current dental contract isn’t fit for purpose and in some instances fails to cover costs.
The BDA has been urging the Department to invest in primary dentistry so that practices can provide additional Health Service activity with reduced financial risk, to maximise patient outcomes and to safeguard practice sustainability, against the context of a rapidly shrinking service due to a failing contract model.
Ciara Gallagher, Chair of Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee (NIDPC), said:
“We realise the severe budgetary context in which the Minister and his department is operating. We also appreciate some assurances given by the Minister, such as mitigating National Insurance costs, and the ministerial direction on the proposed annual pay uplift.
“But despite the Minister’s best efforts, what has been outlined to us is largely a continuation of funding measures that have been in place since last year. It will likely mean a continuation of the most rapid shrinkage of NHS dentistry anywhere across these islands, and even more difficulties for patients to access care.
“These latest proposals won’t address the mismatch between fees set by government and the actual cost to practices of delivering modern dental care. That’s why we cannot recommend these proposals as they stand to the profession.
“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?
“MLAs from across all parties declared unanimous support for HS dentistry in the Assembly yesterday and recognise that without adequate funding the future of this vital public service is at risk.
“Patients need access to these services, but we are left feeling even more concerned for our future and the oral health of the population.”
Notes to editors:
Key components of the ‘Investment Proposals’ outlined verbally to BDA are as follows:
- Continuation of ‘30%’ uplift in fees paid for Health Service fillings, extractions & root canals for 25/26 (£4.5m)
- Continuation of Enhanced Child Examination fees (£860k/year over next 3 years =£2m);
- £2.5m towards mitigating employer’s National Insurance contributions. Minister subsequently agreed if the true cost to practices is higher, he would make up the difference
- £1.6m for an additional payment ‘to reward Health Service work carried out’
- £400k for expansion of the Happy Smiles Programme
In addition,
- Minister has approved the 4% Doctors and Dentists Pay Review Body recommendation
- Cost of Service review to be undertaken in 2025/26