Health Minister Mike Nesbitt, accompanied by Chief Dental Officer Caroline Lappin, visited Kilrea Dental Surgery to praise the practice's vital role in improving access to Health Service dental care through the Dental Access Scheme (DAS).

Since joining the DAS in 2024, the Kilrea practice has treated a substantial number of patients—specifically 3,817—who were previously unregistered or required urgent attention.

The Minister emphasised the scheme’s success: "Kilrea Dental Surgery’s remarkable contribution exemplifies the success of the scheme in expanding access and stabilising urgent dental care across Northern Ireland." He also welcomed the fact that many DAS patients have since become registered patients, which "strengthens local Health Service provision." The Kilrea surgery recently underwent a major expansion, growing from a single surgery to a four-surgery facility. This has enabled the practice to deliver high-quality Health Service dental care to a growing list of over 8,000 patients. It remains the only dental practice serving the Kilrea community, with the nearest alternatives being in Coleraine and Garvagh.

Minister Nesbitt reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to General Dental Services, highlighting the recent £7 million investment package announced in May 2025. This investment, or £7m after the first mention, is designed to support access to urgent and priority treatments and encourage new child registrations.

The DAS, which launched in August 2024, now operates across 37 participating practices, ensuring unregistered patients with urgent needs can access timely care during the working week.

The Minister confirmed he has commissioned a cost-of-service review to ensure an evidence-based approach to reform, stating: "This is a positive step towards building a dental service that works for both patients and the profession."