AQW 4339/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 10/10/2022
Answered On Date: 18/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the development of a new Oral Health Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Answer:

Prior to the Covid 19 pandemic my Department decided that the two sections of the Northern Ireland population that would benefit most from updated oral disease prevention programs where children and the older population. Unfortunately, the pandemic delayed the establishment of the two planned working groups, but significant progress has been made by two oral health groups - one dedicated to improving the oral health of children and the other specifically looking at improving the oral health of older people.

The challenges facing the HSC and DoH today mean that, unfortunately, the significant resources required to develop a new wide-ranging OHS are not available at this time. However, the importance of analysing the oral health status of the population and recommending evidence-based approaches to health improvement is recognised.

In addition, my Department has funded a dental health survey of five year old children this financial year, and a survey of twelve year old children is planned for 2022/23. These surveys will provide key information for future planning of oral health improvement in Northern Ireland.