Dental Reform in Northern Ireland: Facing Challenges Ahead of Restored Assembly
The case for dental reform in Northern Ireland is facing significant obstacles as the Department of Health has proposed budget cuts of £360m from this year's health budget, including an end to the Rebuilding Support Scheme (RSS) and a 10% reduction in fees. These cuts have been met with opposition from dental professionals who warn that they would only serve to further erode Health Service dentistry.
The efforts to progress important policies on dental workforce, oral health improvement, and GDS contract reform are seemingly being overruled by unelected civil servants. This has perpetuated a sense that things are moving backwards at a time when considerable progress is needed. The lack of investment and strategic direction in health service dentistry has been an issue for many years.
Despite these challenges, dental professionals are redoubling their efforts to press the case for dentistry ahead of a potentially pivotal time. They are working to ensure that dental reform is on the transformation agenda when the Assembly is restored in the coming months, along with an associated financial package/new funding arrangements for Northern Ireland.
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