AQW 10974/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health (i) for an update on the GDS dentistry contract; (ii) what plans he has to address the 30 per cent real terms loss of earnings by dentists; and (iii) what conversations has he had or plans to have with the Minister for the Economy to secure a financial package to support dentists.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 25 November 2020
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 25 November 2020
- Answer due by
- 10 December 2020
- Answered
- 8 January 202144 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
It remains a long term goal to develop and implement new contracts for General Dental Practitioners (GDPs), orthodontists and primary care oral surgeons in Northern Ireland. Engagement with the British Dental Association (BDA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) on this workstream has been unavoidably interrupted by the need the focus resources on the Department’s response to Covid-19. This engagement remains important and will continue when resources permit in 2021.
For the last four years dentists have received the full pay uplift as recommended in the annual Doctor and Dentist Remuneration Board (DDRB). The 48th DDRB report was published on 21 July 2020 and the recommendations from it are currently under consideration.
To date there has been an additional investment of almost £15million in General Dental Services (GDS) through the Financial Support Scheme (FSS) and provision of Personal Protective Equipment. Most dental practices in Northern Ireland provide both private and Health Service Dentistry. There are only a small number of fully private dental practices in Northern Ireland and as such most GDPs have been able to avail of the FSS.
In terms of the private proportion of dental activity, my Department does not have the legal authority to provide a similar support, only having powers to do so in respect of General Dental Services.
I have written to the Minister for the Economy suggesting that consideration be given to establishing a grant scheme to assist practices in respect of private dentistry. I have made clear I am happy for my officials to work with their colleagues in the Department for the Economy (DfE) to develop support arrangements and for Business Services Organisation to help administer such a scheme.