Dental cuts

Responding to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety’s consultation on the treatment available in General Dental Services, BDA Northern Ireland has warned that the proposals will undermine dentists’ attempts to improve oral health in communities by placing restrictions on treatment.

The proposals would slash the funding available to dental practices, make many treatments – including bridges and some root canal work – subject to bureaucratic prior approval processes that will cause anxiety and uncertainty for patients, and undermine the patient-practitioner relationship.

The BDA has also warned that the proposals could, if implemented, have unforeseen economic consequences for dental practices and businesses that depend on their custom.

Dr Peter Crooks, the Chair of BDA’s Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee, said: “It’s time for Government to admit that this is a dangerous, deeply-flawed cocktail of change and think again. The proposals threaten oral health, patient care, jobs and the viability of dental practices. They are based on saving money and put pounds before patients.”