Health Minister Robin Swann has welcomed a new initiative to improve access to urgent dental care for non-registered patients, including refugees and asylum seekers.
The scheme aims to provide improved access to dental care to relieve emergency and urgent dental conditions for up to 1,200 patients, including patients not currently registered with a dentist, asylum seekers and refugees, currently living in Northern Ireland. Patients requesting non-urgent or routine care will not be included.
Eleven general dental practices across Northern Ireland are taking part in the scheme, which began in early October and is expected to run for an initial 6-8 weeks.
The scheme will be evaluated to gain a better understanding of need and assess the best ways to address the longer term challenges.
Mr Swann said:
“This is a very welcome initiative and I would commend all those involved with it.”
The scheme will operate in addition to normal General Dental Services work, and represents an immediate response to current problems with access to Health Service dental care, particularly for patients experiencing dental pain, requiring urgent dental treatment.
Any activity undertaken by practices involved in the scheme will be in addition to normal work and will not impact on services to their patients.
If patients with a dental emergency are experiencing problems with accessing a dentist, they should contact their local office:
• Northern Office: 028 9536 2812
• Belfast / South Eastern Office: 028 9536 3926
• Western Office: 028 9536 1010
• Southern Office: 028 9536 2104