To ask the Minister of Health to detail any work his Department is undertaking to improve access to NHS dentists, in North Down.

Access to General Dental Services is challenging across Northern Ireland at present and I am aware that some patients, particularly those not currently registered with a dentist are finding it more difficult to obtain an appointment with a Health Service dentist.

General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) are self-employed, independent contractors who are free to choose the amount of HS care they provide, and under the current General Dental Service arrangements, the Department does not have a role in determining the location of dental practices.

In an effort to improve access for all patients, an additional £7m is being invested in General Dental Services in 2025/26. The investment is funding the continuation of the Enhanced Child Examination Scheme, a 30% enhancement on fees paid to dentists for Health Service fillings, extractions, and root canal treatments, and a further £1.6m allocation to support dental practitioners who continue to provide Health Service dental care for their patients.

In parallel, the Dental Access Scheme (DAS) continues to provide access for unregistered patients with an urgent or pressing oral health need. Ards and Down falls into the South Eastern Local Commissioning Group (LCG) area. The most recent data shows that 4,159 patients have been seen under DAS in this area up to 30 September 2025.

Longer term, my Department’s Health and Social Care NI three-year plan includes a commitment to develop an action plan and programme of work for the reform of General Dental Services by April 2027.

While that work is progressed consideration is being given to other actions which could be taken to improve access to HS dental care for both registered and unregistered patients. This includes the commissioning of a cost-of-service review which will help inform the future direction of General Dental Services.