AQW 11529/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 08/05/2024
Answered On Date: 22/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health (i) when dental practitioners will be eligible to be paid the enhanced rates for the targeted areas identified in the Dental Access Scheme; and (ii) to identify any risk to practitioners who carry out the work if business cases are not approved.

Answer:

On 27 March 2024 I announced a £9.2m investment in General Dental Services for 2024/25. Included in this investment was 30% enhancement to the fees paid to General Dental Practitioners for filings, extractions and root canal treatment.

This enhancement will be applied to all eligible treatments completed in 2024/25, with arrears payments made, as required, until the fees in the Statement of Dental Remuneration are updated.

The business case for the enhancement has been approved and as such there is no risk to practitioners who provide these treatments.