Strabane/Limavady lowest number of NHS dentists

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed 48 dentist were registered to provide NHS treatment in both East Londonderry and West Tyrone in 2010; the only other constituency with such a low registration was neighbouring Mid Ulster which also had just 48 NHS dentists registered.

The Minister outlined the information in response to a query tabled at the Stormont Assembly by East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell.

He said the 48 figure was a count of dentists who were registered at any point during 2010; all dentists were not necessarily registered for the full year.

The figure for dentists registered on the NHS Business Services Organisation (BSO) dental list who had NHS dental claims paid during the 2010 calendar year was 47 in East Londonderry, 47 in West Tyrone and 42 in Mid Ulster.

In Londonderry there were 69 NHS dentists registered last year and 68 on the BSO list who had claims paid.

Mr McGimpsey told Mr Campbell that the figures included GDS principal dentists, associates, assistants, vocational dental practitioners, salaried dentists and dentists employed by Oasis Dental Care Ltd.

Community dental service dentists were excluded.