Politician looks for UK-wide approach towards tackling dental access issues

A politician has spoken up about the dental problems facing Northern Ireland, dubbing the waiting list issues a ‘massive challenge’. 

Lord Rogan – an Ulster unionist peer – last week called for guidance on how the nations can work together.

He asked for ways that ministers in London can work with the Stormont Executive and the other devolved administrations to boost the number of patients visiting their local dentist during lockdown.

Suffer at home

Speaking in the House of Lords, he said: ‘Official statistics show that the number of patients seen by general dental service dentists in Northern Ireland fell from 163,537 last February to just 8,825 in June. But rose again to 49,059 in September.’

He asked Heath and Social Care Minister Lord Bethell what discussions are taking place.

He said: ‘With many of the current COVID restrictions having been put back in place since then, what discussions have UK ministers had with their counterparts in Northern Ireland and the other devolved regions to encourage people to visit their dentist rather than suffer pain at home?’

Test and protect

In response, Lord Bethell said the Northern Ireland figures were similar in other parts of the UK.

‘You are entirely right that those statistics tell a story of the massive challenge dentists face in order to increase the number of appointments per day,’ he said.

Lord Bethell said they are looking at ways to improve patient footfall, including ventilation and testing.

He added. ‘I hope that will help accelerate improvement in this area.’