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Insight into the Northern Ireland dental market

Cathy Murphy, senior business agent at Christie & Co, shares insight into the current dental market in Northern Ireland. Practice sales within Northern Ireland have developed at a slower rate than those sales within England, Scotland and Wales. Historically, the bulk of sales in the country were facilitated between principals and their associates, or to … Continued

Concerns over waiting list ‘to leave NHS dentistry’

Dentists are increasingly leaving the NHS in Northern Ireland (NI), with work down by 30%, according to the British Dental Association (BDA). Ciara Gallagher, of the BDA, was giving evidence to Stormont’s health committee on Thursday, 13 June, according to BBC News. The committee heard that there was now a waiting list ‘to leave NHS … Continued

Hundreds of dentists call to save ‘crumbling’ dental service

‘We cannot go on as we are’: More than 700 dentists in Northern Ireland have warned that urgent, radical action is needed to save health service dentistry from a ‘death spiral’. In an open letter to Peter May, Department of Health permanent secretary, the signatories have asked what the department’s plan is to ensure the … Continued

BDA criticises ‘misleading’ NI hospital waiting times portal

The British Dental Association (BDA) claims the My Waiting Times NI portal, intended to provide an estimate of hospital wait times in Northern Ireland, is ‘unhelpful and misleading’. The My Waiting Times NI portal was launched by the Department of Health in May. It aims to enable patients to check how long they are likely … Continued

High rates of mental ill-health discovered among 16-year-olds

New research suggests that 45.2% of 16-year-olds experience mental health problems, revealing the extent of mental illness in Northern Ireland. This is according to data published by Dr Nicole Bond and Professor Siobhán O’Neil, Mental Health Champion for Northern Ireland. The statistics were further stratified by gender, suggesting that mental health problems are more prevalent in girls than boys. While … Continued

Dental nurse sponsorship scheme kicks off in Northern Ireland

A new fully-funded programme for dental nurses has launched in Northern Ireland in a bid to secure the future of the profession. Portman Dental Care has joined forces with South West College in Dungannon to kick off a new apprenticeship scheme for dental nurses. Each candidate will experience one of Portman’s 11 practices scattered throughout Northern Ireland. They … Continued

Politician looks for UK-wide approach towards tackling dental access issues

A politician has spoken up about the dental problems facing Northern Ireland, dubbing the waiting list issues a ‘massive challenge’.  Lord Rogan – an Ulster unionist peer – last week called for guidance on how the nations can work together. He asked for ways that ministers in London can work with the Stormont Executive and the other … Continued