Health Minister praises Kilrea Dental Surgery for expanding NHS dental access

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt with staff at Kilrea Dental Surgery.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has paid tribute to the team at Kilrea Dental Surgery for their crucial role in improving access to Health Service dental care through the Dental Access Scheme (DAS).

During a visit to the practice, which joined the scheme in 2024 and has since treated 3,817 patients, the Minister was joined by Chief Dental Officer Caroline Lappin to meet with practice owner Mr Charlie Kielt and his team.

The discussions focused on how the scheme has successfully expanded access to care and supported the growth of dental services in the Kilrea area.

Speaking during the visit, Minister Nesbitt said:

“General Dental Services play a crucial role in improving population health and reducing pressure on other parts of the Health Service.

“I am delighted to visit Kilrea Dental Surgery, alongside the Chief Dental Officer to see first-hand the dedication of dental professionals who are ensuring that unregistered patients including those with urgent or pressing dental needs can access timely and effective care through the Dental Access Scheme.

“Kilrea Dental Surgery’s remarkable contribution exemplifies the success of the scheme in expanding access and stabilising urgent dental care across Northern Ireland. I also welcome the fact that many patients initially treated under the scheme have since become registered patients — a positive outcome that strengthens local Health Service provision.”

Vital Community Service

Kilrea Dental Surgery recently expanded from a single surgery to a four-surgery facility, allowing it to deliver high-quality Health Service dental care to a growing patient base of more than 8,000 registered patients.

It remains the only dental practice serving the Kilrea community, with the nearest alternatives located in Coleraine and Garvagh.

The expansion comes as part of a broader effort by the Department of Health to improve access to NHS dental care across Northern Ireland, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Departmental Support for Dental Reform

Minister Nesbitt reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening General Dental Services, highlighting the Department’s £7 million investment package announced in May 2025 to improve access to urgent and priority treatments and encourage new child registrations.

He said:

“I am acutely aware of the challenges facing General Dental Services, particularly around access and remuneration. Meaningful reform will require sustained effort.

“I have commissioned a cost-of-service review to ensure we have a clear and evidence-based approach to take forward. This is a positive step towards building a dental service that works for both patients and the profession.”

About the Dental Access Scheme

Launched in August 2024, the Dental Access Scheme replaced the Pilot for Unregistered Patients and Asylum Seekers (PUPAS). It enables participating practices to provide care to unregistered patients with urgent (£150 per patient) and pressing (£100 per patient) needs, with an additional £50 supplement for asylum seekers and refugees.

As of 30 September 2025, 30,533 patients have been treated through the scheme, which now includes 37 participating dental practices across Northern Ireland:

• Belfast Trust Area: 10 practices

• Northern Trust Area: 8 practices

• Southern Trust Area: 9 practices

• South Eastern Trust Area: 6 practices

• Western Trust Area: 4 practices

The scheme operates during the working week to ensure that unregistered patients experiencing urgent or pressing dental needs can access timely care.