We must work together to improve dental services in Fermanagh and South Tyrone – Dolan
25 February 2025
Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan has said urgent action is needed to address the shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh.
The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA urged parties and ministers to ‘work together to ensure Fermanagh residents can smile with confidence, knowing their dental health needs are being met’.
She made the remarks during a debate in the Assembly which was noting the lack of dentists and out of hours dental service in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.
“Access to dental care is not a luxury; it is a fundamental pillar of our health and well-being, and we must do everything to ensure the dental care of local people is met,” said Miss Dolan.
“The significant shortage of NHS dentists in Fermanagh has left many of my constituents struggling to access essential dental care, leading to prolonged suffering and, in some cases, the exacerbation of preventable oral health problems.”
In October 2023, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA raised this with the then Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health, and again in February 2024 with the Health Minister.
“The Minister acknowledged that a key factor contributing to the access issues is the inadequate rates being paid to our dentists for treatment.
“Most dentists want to be able to continue delivering NHS dentistry, not least because they are committed to their patients, but dental practices are also small businesses.
“For the past decade, uplifts in fees have failed to keep pace with inflation. As a result, many are now being forced to reconsider their futures.
“To increase access to NHS dentistry for patients, we must make NHS dentistry a place where people want to work, and to make the service financially viable.”
Jemma Dolan also called for new schemes to be put in place to attract dentists to Fermanagh and the wider region.
“I urge the Minister to explore the reinstatement of financial support schemes that have previously bolstered our dental services. We also must work with educational institutions to train and place new dentists in our region, which could help with solving this ongoing crisis.
“Let us work together to ensure that every resident of Fermanagh can smile with confidence, knowing that their dental health needs are met promptly and effectively.”
