Less than 44 percent of adults in Northern Ireland are now registered with an NHS dentist, according to figures cited by the British Dental Association. Overall registration levels have fallen to 49 percent, which the BDA describes as an all-time low in a generation.

The BDA says no dental practices are currently prepared to increase their NHS commitment because the fees paid do not cover the cost of providing care. Instead, practices intend to expand private dental services to remain financially viable.

Tristen Kelso, director of the BDA in Northern Ireland, said the fee structure has created an access crisis because practices cannot continue to provide NHS dentistry at a loss. He called on the Stormont Executive to implement dental payment reform based on a cost-of-service review promised by the Health Minister.

The registration figures come amid a reported increase in pop-up dental consultations held in hotels across Northern Ireland. These events are allegedly used to attract customers for treatment overseas.

Dentists across Northern Ireland are concerned about the number of patients presenting with serious complications after receiving dental treatment abroad, Kelso said. He urged the Department of Health to close regulatory loopholes and issue guidance to protect local dentists who are often left to deal with the consequences of overseas treatment going wrong.

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority has received intelligence about 21 unregistered entities that have organised consultation events since October 2023, many of them in Northern Ireland hotels. Under UK law, practising dentistry without General Dental Council registration is a criminal offence, including simple consultations and examinations.

The BDA recently met with the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation to warn members about legal and financial risks associated with hosting such events.