To ask the Minister of Health whether he will reintroduce a two-year longitudinal dental foundation programme, including a single lead employer model.

The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency has been exploring options for the potential reintroduction of longitudinal dental training programmes. Any such opportunities will need to be developed in consultation with key stakeholders, including trainees. Consideration will also take into account the longitudinal training pathways currently being piloted in England.

My officials have recently approved a business case to expand NIMDTA’s educator capacity and to support the modernisation of the dental training programmes for early career dentists.

Foundation Dentists are not included within the existing Single Lead Employer arrangements in Northern Ireland; however, this may be considered should these arrangements be expanded to other areas in the future.