NI Dentists allowed to provide non-urgent care from 29th June

by Q Radio News

Dentists in Northern Ireland will be allowed to carry out non-urgent care like routine appointments from the 29th June. 

It has been welcomed by the British Dental Association (BDA) Northern Ireland, after the Department of Health confirmed Phase 2 for recovery of General Dental Services. 

Meanwhile, Phase 3 which includes more intense dental work and permits dentists to carry out aerosol-generating procedures (GP's), is scheduled to start from the 20th July. 

AGPs involve the use of high-speed instruments like drills and represent the majority of dental treatments. 

Going forward, dentists performing these procedures are expected to use full PPE, similar to those used in hospital ICUs.

Meanwhile, the BDA has warned the ongoing Personal Protective Shortages could easily jeopardise any progress for the industry. 

The organisation has estimated the cost of PPE alone, ignoring other treatment costs, for treating a single patient has increased by up to 6000%. 

Costs for kit were around 35-45 pence pre-pandemic and could stand at £20-30 depending on exact PPE requirements and usage.

According to the BDA, the integration of dental services into the wider government supply chain of PPE will be a "prerequisite" to any plan to restore routine care.

No decision has yet been taken on whether dentists will have access to the central government supply of PPE.

Richard Graham, Chair of the BDA’s Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee said:

“We finally have a timetable. Dentists need time to prepare, but PPE remains the elephant in the room.

“Practices face not only shortages but crippling increases in costs for vital protective kit. We can put out the welcome mat, but without access to government supply chains, we will be in no position to treat patients.

“But we will need help to survive the new normal. Without long term support, sky-high overheads and fewer patents could be the final nail in the coffin for the service in NI.

“We trust the Department will step up to the plate.”