Access to NHS dentistry has reached crisis point as millions are currently unable to access dental care
As the NHS dental crisis deepens across the UK, a small but vital lifeline is opening up for some patients in Northern Ireland.
With millions locked out of NHS dentistry, the situation has become so grave that over 120,000 people have signed the Daily Mirror’s “Dentists for All” petition, calling on the UK Government to act.
The petition has now been handed in to ministers, highlighting a system where current funding only stretches far enough for around half the population to see an NHS dentist.
READ MORE: Dentists Northern Ireland: Investment in services ‘not enough’ insist British Dental AssociationREAD MORE: Hundreds of NI dentists warn dental services are in ‘death spiral’ without radical action
Against this backdrop, a group of local practices in Northern Ireland are stepping forward to help. Smart Dental Care has announced that its practices in Lisburn, Ballymoney, Bradbury Place in Belfast City Centre and Dundonald are opening a limited number of new appointments.
Across the UK, access to NHS dentistry has reached crisis point as more than 12 million people are currently unable to access NHS dental care while over 96% of NHS practices are unable to take on new adult NHS patients.
The NHS is facing a shortfall of more than 3,000 full-time dentists, fuelling growing backlogs and delays. But behind these statistics are real stories: people living in constant pain, parents unable to register their children, and patients turning to crowdfunding or DIY dentistry because they feel they have no other choice.
Suken Shah, Managing Director of Smart Dental Care, says communities in Belfast and across Northern Ireland are living through the sharp end of this crisis: “While national campaigns and petitions are vital to drive change, patients also need practical help right now. That’s why we’re opening up a limited number of NHS spaces – to give some relief to families who’ve been searching for an NHS dentist for months or even years.”
Suken said Smart Dental Care’s Northern Ireland practices are committing to do what they can within the constraints of current NHS funding: “We refuse to stand by while people in our communities are forced to beg for basic dental care.
“Our promise is simple: where we have capacity, we will use it to provide high-quality, affordable NHS dental care – especially for those who have nowhere else to turn during a cost-of-living crisis.”
Rosanna Roddy, Regional Operations Manager, added: “Across our Lisburn, Ballymoney, Bradbury Place, Dundonald and Newry practices, we have highly skilled and friendly teams ready to welcome new NHS patients.
“Our dentists are not only experienced, they genuinely care about the people who walk through our doors. We know we can’t solve the national problem alone, but for the patients we can register, this could be life-changing.”
Because demand is expected to be extremely high, NHS places will be managed via an online registration and triage system to keep things fair and reduce pressure on reception teams.
Patients are kindly asked not to call the practices directly. Instead:
- Visit the website of your nearest participating practice.
- Complete the online NHS registration form.
- Your details will be reviewed, and the practice will contact you if a space is available, based on capacity and clinical need.
“Using an online form means we can prioritise those most in need and manage demand safely and fairly,” Rosanna explained “We know every place matters – and we will use every NHS slot we have as effectively as possible.”
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