Access to NHS dental care in Northern Ireland is set to become harder as dentists are increasingly going private.
The number of ‘deregistrations’ - dentists removing patients from their books - has more than tripled in the last three years, reaching a high of 12,858 last year.
The figures, released through an Assembly question to DUP MLA Paul Frew, are believed to reflect dentists moving away from the NHS model amid concerns about the current funding arrangements.
A white filling can cost as a little as £13.12 - depending on size - for public patients, but privately the same treatment can cost upwards of £75.
The British Dental Association (BDA) says these figures are “just the tip of the iceberg”, adding that the north is headed for “an accelerated mass withdrawal” from public patients.
A BDA survey found that 88% of dentists intend to cut back on the number of public patients, with 49% saying they will go fully private.
And according to the BDA. in the last year, health service dental care dropped by 22% compared to pre-pandemic levels.
“I worry about this ticking time bomb of bad dental health that will no doubt impact our people including both young and old to go along with the massive mental health problems we now see in all spheres of life, but more so on our most vulnerable.”
— Paul Frew
Mr Frew said: “The figures are absolutely shocking and show once again how lockdown philosophy has negatively affected so many people.
“I worry about this ticking time bomb of bad dental health that will no doubt impact our people including both young and old to go along with the massive mental health problems we now see in all spheres of life, but more so on our most vulnerable.”
Ciara Gallagher, Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee said: “These figures are just the tip of the iceberg. The crisis in health service dentistry runs deep, and its very survival will hinge on decisions made at Stormont in the months ahead.
“As long as practices remain tethered to a failed, underfunded contract, the very future of this service will remain in doubt. No health professional should be expected to cover the costs of NHS care out of their pocket.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: “While the number of de-registrations has increased in recent years, the figures quoted are solely for de-registrations and do not take into account the addition of newly registered patients.
“Since 2019/20 there has been an 9% increase in number of health service patients registered with a general dental practitioner.
The department added: “To help further support dental practices, the Health Minister announced a £9.2 million investment in general dental services for 2024/25.
“In addition, the minister has confirmed a 6% pay uplift for dentists for the current financial year. This increase will be backdated to April 2023 and is in line with the recommendations from the DDRB (Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body).
“The uplift comes with a 7.3% uplift to non-staff expenses for 2023/24, with a 3% recurrent award in future years.”
