To ask the Minister of Health (i) why, in 2021-22, (a) the number of people who have seen a dentist; and (b) the range of treatment delivered, has not returned to pre-pandemic levels; and (ii) to detail any benefits that exist for dentists treating NHS patients over private patients.

Throughout much of 2021, we were seeing record levels of infection, and measures were in place in all industries and in all regions of the UK to minimise the risk of transmission. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures in healthcare settings have had a significant adverse effect on activity levels, with additional Personal Protective Equipment, social distancing, pre-appointment patient screening, and fallow time after aerosol generating procedures all contributing to a lower patient throughput in General Dental Services (GDS).

IPC restrictions were relaxed in January and May 2022, and this, along with the introduction of the Rebuilding Support Scheme, which rewards dentists based on activity levels, has seen an increase in activity levels from 58% to 76% of pre-pandemic levels over the last 2 months.

Due to the increasing waiting times in areas for dental check-ups and treatment, there has also been an unprecedented demand for more lucrative private dental treatment, which dental practices have been keen to address. Undoubtedly too, there are ongoing concerns from practitioners regarding the existing contract, which some feel undercompensates them for the Health Service work they are undertaking. A GDS Contract Reform Group has been established to help address these concerns.

Dentists in Northern Ireland continue to undertake a significant amount of Health Service dentistry every month. In addition to the payment for Items of Service (that makes up around 60% overall GDS spending) there are also a range of allowances available to dentists and practices, as well as a very generous pension scheme and maternity, paternity and sick pay benefits. Since the beginning of April 2022, the GDS Rebuilding Support Scheme has also been paying dentists an additional 25% on all dental treatments undertaken on Health Service patients.