Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has today announced an investment of £8 million aimed at improving access to general dental services across Northern Ireland. The Minister stated that this funding is designed to stabilise the sector while long-term reforms continue to be developed.

The investment package covers several critical areas of the service. This includes the creation of six additional Dental Foundation Training places, bringing the total number of funded annual positions to 36. This move is intended to support early-career dentists, address ongoing workforce shortages, and encourage the retention of newly qualified professionals within the Health Service. The funding will also see the continuation of the Enhanced Child Examination Scheme, which focuses on encouraging new registrations for children between the ages of 0 and 10. Additionally, a new Emergency Dental Clinic will be established in the Western Trust area to provide urgent care for patients who cannot access routine services, thereby reducing the burden on local emergency departments.

Minister Nesbitt said: "I have been clear in my commitment to the ongoing reform of the dental service so that it works better for both patients and practitioners. The measures announced today will help stabilise the service and enhance access to dentists. I am aware that workforce pressures remain a significant challenge within General Dental Services. The additional six training places announced today will provide increased capacity and enhanced access to Health Service dental care in practices across Northern Ireland."

He further noted that the decision to establish the Emergency Dental Clinic in the Western Trust reflects a strategy to direct limited resources toward areas with the highest need. By providing a dedicated space for urgent care, the Minister hopes to ensure that those unable to secure routine appointments can still receive essential treatment.