The ‘Family Practitioner Services Dental Statistics for NI 2023/24’ shows that just 821,835 patients were treated in 2023/24, 79 per cent of pre-covid norms and just a two per cent increase on last year. The number of claims made by dentists for treatment delivered is just 70 per cent of 2019/20 levels, an increase of just five per cent on 2022/23.
Registration numbers fell by 1,825 for children and 43,008 for adults, reflecting the growing number of practices moving away from the NHS. The figures for 2023/24 also saw total fees paid to dentists drop by £10.4m compared with 2022/23.
The BDA said funding is one of the key issues affecting dentistry. The current model can leave practices delivering health service treatment at a loss, as budgets have failed to keep pace with soaring costs, explained the professional body.
In March 2024, the Department of Health pledged £9.2m in ‘additional investment’ for a ‘Dental Access Scheme’. The BDA said this was not new money and was based on repurposing underspend anticipated for the 2024/25 year in the existing budget.
The professional body has encouraged Stormont authorities to follow the lead of the Scottish Government, rolled out sweeping changes to the same payment system in 2023.
Data continues to demonstrate that Northern Ireland tops the UK league table for oral disease. The country has the highest number of filled teeth per capita of any of the four UK nations among adults and children.
Ciara Gallagher, chair of the British Dental Association’s Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee, said, “Health Service dentistry in Northern Ireland remains a shadow of its former self. The need for care is as high as ever, and we remain at the bottom of the UK league table for oral health.
“The clock is ticking, and dedicated practices are already walking away. Urgent action is needed from Stormont. The lessons from Scotland could save HS dentistry. Without fair funding, this service will cease to exist”.