Nesbitt recently announced a £7 million investment in general dental services for 2025–26, alongside an expansion of the Happy Smiles oral health programme. He emphasised the need for long-term sustainability and confirmed the commissioning of a comprehensive cost review, expected to conclude by the end of 2026.

Despite acknowledging the minister’s efforts, Ciara Gallagher, chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee, expressed disappointment, saying dentists had “hoped for more” and that the funding largely continues existing measures without tackling core issues. “This will make it even harder for patients to access care,” she said, adding that the BDA could not recommend the proposals in their current form.

Gallagher stressed the urgent need for radical transformation, warning that without substantial change, access to NHS dental care will further deteriorate. “How can dentistry be transformed with such a constrained health budget?” she asked.

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle, dentist Rachele Crozier echoed these concerns, saying the current system is “teetering on the brink of collapse,” and that unclear funding details are undermining confidence among NHS dentists.

The BDA has also called for immediate bridging support to help practices manage rising operational costs. They argue that the existing dental contract is “not fit for purpose” and, in many cases, fails to cover basic service delivery.

Recent data reveals the growing crisis: over 53,000 NHS patients have been removed from practice lists in the past two years, and 114 dentists have returned their NHS contracts. Of Northern Ireland’s 360 dental practices, just two remain fully NHS.