BDA voices concerns over Northern Irish dental service fee rise

The British Dental Association (BDA) has voiced its concerns over the potential impact of plans to implement a 0.5 percent increase to item of service fees for dentistry in Northern Ireland.

A letter has been sent to the nation's Department for Health, Social Services and Public Safety warning that this increase actually equates to a pay cut of approximately seven percent in real terms, due to the rising operating costs in the sector.

The industry body has expressed worry that this will impair the ability of Northern Irish dentists to meet patient care demands and exacerbate financial problems faced by many professionals.

Dr Peter Crooks, chair of the BDA's Northern Ireland dental practice committee, accused the department of underfunding a vital service, despite the evidence of its own doctors' and dentists' review body.

"Dentists are working really hard to care for the oral health of the people of Northern Ireland … They need to see their commitment and dedication matched by the government," he added.

This comes after the organisation urged the government to provide a clear timetable for Northern Irish dental reform plans last month.