AQW 3992/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 03/10/2022
Answered On Date: 12/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether he will commit to prioritising an independent Cost of Service review as an essential step to recalibrating dental fees that are fair, reasonable and workable at practice and practitioner level.

Answer:

The current focus of my Department is to rebuild General Dental Services so that the immediate oral health needs of the public are met in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In parallel the Dental Contract Reform Group is exploring options to ensure that Health Service dentistry is sustainable and delivers for both patients and the profession. Undertaking a Cost of Service Review will be an important part of any new approach.