In June, Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee chair Ciara Gallagher wrote to the Department seeking a response to specific recommendations contained within this year’s 53rd Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) Report, including a recommendation to develop an Index of Dental Costs on a pan-UK basis. We also requested an update on timescales for DDRB 2025-26 pay uplifts, Cost-of-Service Review and further detail on National Insurance mitigations.
BDA data was also shared to inform percentage increases to this year’s Expenses uplift element, reflecting real world costs incurred by contractors in delivering NHS dental treatment, with the reasonable assumption that a new Index of Dental Costs should be ready for the 2026-27 uplift.
CDS pay review
We have also raised with the Department of Health the DDRB recommendation, “that governments undertake a review of pay and progression for salaried dentists working in the Community and Dental Public Dental Services”.
Minister’s response
In his response, Minister Nesbitt repeated his desire to implement the pay recommendations of the 53rd DDRB report in full, that he had issued a Ministerial direction on 30 May. However, his own department has taken the step to refer this for the Finance Minister’s approval which has been deferred. Minister Nesbitt will be tabling a paper to the NI Executive to attempt to allow the pay award to proceed.
He has acknowledged receipt of our Expenses formula which is “still under consideration”. Disappointingly, no mention is made of the detail in relation to “Investment Proposals for 2025-26” or National Insurance mitigations.
Cost-of-Service Review
The Minister says work is now “well advanced” to agree the scope for the review and identify a suitable party to conduct the review following initial delays. He has said he considers this to be a “critically important piece of work” to inform policy decisions around the long-term future of the GDS.
Our position
A Cost-of-Service Review can determine the true cost to provide dentistry at a point in time. Alongside this, an Index of Dental Costs should be developed to give an objective basis to determine changes over time on Expenses. This is a view which has, thanks to BDA evidence also now been recognised by the independent pay review body.
General Dental Services in Northern Ireland is in real crisis. We need the Department to get on with completing this important work at pace while also committing to develop a new fit-for-purpose approach towards Expenses. The ongoing delay by our Executive to simply implement a 4% uplift is wholly unacceptable.
We will continue to press authorities to make much needed progress on these matters of critical importance to the future of this service.