Dentists in Northern Ireland have removed more than 53,000 NHS patients from their practice lists over the past two years, BBC News NI has learned. During 2023 and 2024, 114 dentists handed back their NHS contracts to the Department of Health (DoH), with many of these now doing private work only. Out of the 360 dental practices in Northern Ireland, only two are now fully NHS. Peter Corkish said he was shocked to get a letter three weeks ago to sign up to a private plan from their dentist: "My wife has rung numerous dentists and everybody's saying the same, that they're only taking on private patients." Figures obtained by BBC News NI show that in 2023, dentists removed 12,924 NHS patients from their practices – but that figure reached 40,980 last year. The figures also revealed that up to January this year, there were 192,780 fewer patients registered with a dentist. That figure includes "lapsed" patients who have not attended their dentist for some time, and have fallen off the registration list. Some patients have been offered the chance to sign up to private dental payment plans, which cover basic check-ups and cleaning, with charges for extra treatments depending on the amount of money they have to pay in each month. Mr Corkish, from Ballymoney, County Antrim, said he and his wife had tried to find other NHS dentists in their town and in nearby Coleraine and Ballymena but have had no luck. "It said that as of 1 July, the dental practice we're with is no longer offering that National Health Service and we're being given the option if we want to stay with them, to either obtain a dental plan or to just register as a normal private patient," he explained. "Nobody's catering for National Health Service (patients) anymore. "There's one question I would like to put to local politicians and MPs and ask them is this the end of national health dental treatment within Northern Ireland?" Kegan Lewis has the only dental practice in Dungiven, County Londonderry. It is a predominantly health service practice with about 95% of its 4,500 to 5,000 patients receiving NHS treatment. Ms Lewis said she faces "huge demand" from patients wishing to register with an NHS practice as "more and more practices leave the health service", but her surgery is at capacity. She said that if her practice can no longer provide NHS dental care, there will be "vulnerable groups" unable to access a dentist. Ms Lewis said NHS dentistry is a "highly regulated service" which follows a "high-volume, low margin model". "It's a professional service and that does create a cost burden for a dental practice to operate," she said. "The fees are set by the Department of Health, but increasingly, these fees just don't cover the cost of being open and providing service to our patients." One of Ms Lewis's patients, Dorothy Hegarty, said she would "prefer to rely on the NHS rather than go privately". "I just think it's very expensive and probably unnecessarily expensive," she said. "People who have low income... shouldn't have to wait longer than the likes of me that maybe could go privately if I wanted to or had to." Mrs Hegarty said if her dentist closed in Dungiven it would be "quite serious" and have a "major impact" on a lot of people. The dentists' union - the British Dental Association (BDA) - has warned there may be further erosion of NHS services as the cost of delivering them means many dental practices are becoming financially unviable. The DoH has been in a stand-off with the BDA over reforming the payments made to dentists. Last year, the department said £9m was to be invested in dental services in Northern Ireland. However, the BDA says that falls short of what is required and is calling for further reform. Dr Ciara Gallagher, chair of the BDA's Northern Ireland committee, said the set-up and running costs dentists are facing are "astronomical" and the DoH's payments do not reflect these. "You're in an impossible situation where you have to choose between accepting a patient who needs care or the viability of your business," she said. Dr Gallagher said the Health MinisterMike Nesbitt's pledge for reform by 2027was welcome but did not deal with the current problems. Patients with urgent dental problems can be treated under the Dental Access Scheme, which was set up for unregistered patients, asylum seekers and refugees. There are 34 practices signed up to the scheme - which represents less than 10% of Northern Ireland dental practices. The BBC has made several requests for an interview with Northern Ireland's Chief Dental Officer, Caroline Lappin, but she was not made available. In a statement, the DoH said the decrease in registered patients was down to people falling off dentists' lists because of not having attended for two years and practices not registering new patients. It said dentists were under no obligation to register health service patients. There had been investment in dental access schemes, which had also led to almost 34,000 children becoming registered with a dentists since June 2024, it said. The department added that a review of dental services was under way, but said the budget allocated "is not sufficient to meet the needs of the current service, let alone introduce the kind of transformative change that is needed".
More than 53,000 NHS patients removed from dentist lists
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Over 53,000 NHS Patients Removed from Dental Lists in Northern Ireland"
Bbc News
7.7
TruthLens AI Summary
In Northern Ireland, over 53,000 NHS patients have been removed from dental practice lists in the last two years, marking a significant decline in the availability of NHS dental care. This alarming trend has been highlighted by the fact that in 2023 alone, dentists removed 12,924 NHS patients, while the figure soared to 40,980 in the previous year. The situation has escalated to such an extent that only two out of 360 dental practices in the region remain fully committed to NHS services. Many dentists have opted to return their NHS contracts to the Department of Health (DoH) and are now focusing solely on private work. Patients, like Peter Corkish, have expressed frustration and concern as they struggle to find NHS dentists, with many practices now exclusively offering private payment plans that can be financially burdensome for low-income individuals. The removal of patients from NHS lists is not solely due to dentists choosing to stop accepting them; it also includes those who have not attended a dentist for an extended period, leading to their removal from registration lists altogether.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has raised concerns about the sustainability of NHS dental services, warning that the financial pressures associated with providing care under the current model are becoming untenable for many practices. Dentists like Kegan Lewis, who operates the only NHS dental practice in Dungiven, report overwhelming demand from patients seeking NHS registration. However, she acknowledges that if her practice can no longer provide NHS care, vulnerable populations will struggle to access dental services. The DoH has acknowledged the decrease in registered patients, attributing it to lapses in attendance and the unwillingness of practices to take on new NHS patients. While the Department has announced investments aimed at improving dental access, the BDA argues that these efforts are insufficient and that a comprehensive reform of the payment structure is urgently needed to ensure the viability of NHS dental services in Northern Ireland. The ongoing standoff between the DoH and the BDA over this issue raises critical questions about the future accessibility of dental care for those reliant on the NHS in the region.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on a significant issue facing the NHS dental services in Northern Ireland, where over 53,000 patients have been removed from dentist lists in just two years. The situation raises questions about the accessibility and sustainability of dental care under the NHS, reflecting broader concerns about public health systems.
Impact on Public Health Perception
This news aims to create awareness about the declining availability of NHS dental services. By highlighting the number of patients who have been removed from lists and the shift towards private dental care, the report may incite concern among the public regarding their access to essential health services. The narrative suggests a potential crisis in public health services, provoking questions about the future of NHS dental treatment in Northern Ireland.
Potential Hidden Agendas
While the article addresses a critical issue, it may also be attempting to direct public attention away from other underlying problems within the NHS or governmental health policies. The focus on dental care could overshadow broader systemic issues affecting healthcare, such as funding or staffing shortages in other medical fields.
Trustworthiness of the Information
The article appears to be based on factual data, including specific figures about patient removals and dentists returning NHS contracts. However, the emotional tone and anecdotal evidence, such as personal stories from patients, can influence perceptions and create a more urgent sense of crisis. Thus, while generally reliable, the presentation may employ a degree of sensationalism.
Social and Economic Ramifications
This news could have several implications for society, the economy, and politics. A diminished availability of NHS dental services may lead to increased public outcry, prompting political action or reform. Economically, the shift to private dental care could impact low-income families disproportionately, potentially leading to greater health disparities.
Targeted Audience
The report seems to resonate more with individuals who rely on NHS services and those concerned about public health. It may also attract attention from policymakers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups aiming to protect public health services.
Market Influence
While this news primarily addresses healthcare, it could have indirect effects on the market, particularly for companies involved in private dental care or healthcare insurance. Investors may react to shifts in public sentiment regarding NHS services, influencing stock prices in related sectors.
Global Context
In the wider geopolitical landscape, this issue reflects a trend where public healthcare systems are increasingly pressured, potentially leading to greater privatization. This situation is relevant in discussions about the sustainability of public health systems globally, particularly in the wake of increased healthcare costs worldwide.
Use of AI in Content Creation
There is no clear evidence that artificial intelligence was used in writing this article. However, the structure and presentation of the content may suggest a formulaic approach typical of AI-generated news. If AI were involved, it could have influenced the narrative style, emphasizing personal stories to evoke emotional responses from readers.
The article is grounded in factual reporting but employs a narrative that aims to evoke concern and urgency, particularly among those dependent on public health services. Overall, while there are elements of sensationalism, it raises important questions about the future of NHS dental services in Northern Ireland.