Ulster Unionist MLA Alan Chambers has welcomed the announcement of a £9m targeted support package for health service dentistry in Northern Ireland. 

 Alan Chambers said:

“As a constituency MLA I am well aware that, in recent years, and especially from the pandemic, it has become increasingly more difficult for people to access health service dentistry. 

 “Whilst there are still enough practices and dentists, more and more have been opting to deliver greater private dentistry work instead of health service dentistry. As more dentists left that part of the profession, it only heaped further pressure on those who continued to deliver the service.  

 “The situation was untenable, and I am glad that the Minister has now intervened in such an positive and significant manner.  

 “The three main measures contained within the latest package will greatly support general dental practitioners, as well as improving access for patients with oral health care needs more generally.”