AQW 19928/17-22

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 04/06/2021
Answered On Date: 06/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) the current and ongoing support in place to enable dentists to see the maximum number of patients; and (ii) the current regulations for dentists providing check-ups and treatment.

Answer:

Since July 2020, General Dental Practitioners have been permitted to provide all types treatment, including check-ups. However, enhanced Infection Prevention and Control measures including additional PPE and fallow time between Aerosol Generating Procedures limit the number of patients which can be seen each day. To ensure that this limited capacity is targeted appropriately, the guidance issued to all dentists recommends that patients requiring emergency or urgent care are given the highest priority.

To support the sustainability of dental practices through this difficult period and offset the additional cost of enhanced PPE requirements, as of September 2021, my Department has provided approximately £70.2m in additional funding. Support will continue until the end of 2021/22, with future arrangements to be considered in due course.

Furthermore, in February 2021, the Department provided an additional £1.5m to help improve patient throughput at dental surgeries throughout Northern Ireland. This funding helped practices reduce the fallow time between patients by investing in improved ventilation or through the purchase of high-volume suction devices.