Public Opinion Sought On Dental Proposals In Northern Ireland

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The people of Northern Ireland are being asked to voice their opinions in relation to proposed changes to NHS dental services.

The consultation paper has been released for public viewing and people are being asked to provide feedback, the paper suggests proposals including changes in the provision of orthodontic treatment, restriction of dental treatments to essential core treatments, decrease in frequency of scale and polish treatments, from once every three months to once every nine months and changes to the way dentists are paid.

The consultation period will last until April and Health Minister Edwin Poots is encouraging everyone to consult the paper and give their opinions in order to make the consultation period useful and beneficial in the future. Poots said that it is important that people understand that the proposals do not mean that it will be harder to see a dentist, instead, they aim to prioritise people in need and ensure that everyone has access to essential services at a time when the budget is increasingly stretched.

The paper is available to view on the DHSSPS website until April 3rd. Dentists in Northern Ireland have already criticised the proposals, with many suggesting that the changes will take the country back in terms of dental care provision.

The government claims that changes are necessary to save money on health costs and Edwin Poots is keen to underline the fact that the proposals are designed to ensure that people get the fundamental services they need.

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