Sponsored by Gentle Dental Care
“Simply put, a lot of dental practices here have either stopped taking NHS patients or have left the NHS altogether – and unsurprisingly, the region’s dental health hasn’t improved.”
That is the stark warning from Adam Jaffa, managing partner at privately operated Gentle Dental Care on Belfast’s Lisburn Road – a family owned business since 1969 currently headed-up by a team of eight dentists, including principal dentist Lucy Stock, Adam’s sister and regular contributor to the Irish News. He adds that as the majority of dental care in Northern Ireland was traditionally provided by the NHS, this seismic shift is impacting a lot of people.
“Access to services is a big problem and there hasn’t been fantastic communication from politicians and the public sector as the crisis in NHS dental care deepens. This has of course left patients confused and frustrated,” explains Adam.
Patient treatment at Gentle Dental Care (WCampbell ARPS)
Dentists here have been granted a reprieve on the EU ban on mercury-based fillings allowing them to continue using dental amalgam until 2034. And last year, a £9.2m investment in dental access initiatives for 2024/25 was welcomed along with a 6% pay uplift for dentists.
However the Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee, Dr Ciara Gallagher has warned that April’s hike in National Insurance Contributions will force more dentists to “shrink” the NHS element of their practices. That’s alongside last year’s dire warning that there was “an exodus” of dentists from the NHS in Northern Ireland “well under way”.
‘People are really suffering’
Adam, managing partner at Gentle Dental Care said: “We had one man recently who was unaware his own dentist had retired. In desperate need of care, he had visited three separate practices, rang many others and had walked to the Royal and City Hospital before he showed up at our door.”
Adam says that as his role is very much customer facing and “on the coalface”, he is getting a real feel for the bigger picture and the challenges that people seeking dental care are now facing.
“Covid and Brexit disruption as well as lower funding for NHS dentistry has all helped create a perfect storm for the profession,” he explains.
“Dentists had to renovate and adapt during the pandemic to keep patients safe, that cost a lot money. And Brexit has had a knock-on effect on the pricing of parts and equipment and materials.
In the 70s, the biggest conversations revolved around the economy, more specifically a lack of jobs. Access to healthcare – including dentistry – is a major issue of our day.
And a lot of people with previously good oral health, now have significant problems
— Adam Jaffa, Gentle Dental Care
“Meanwhile funding for NHS dentistry is not as good as it was when I was a boy growing up.”
Adam, whose father was a dentist, said: “In the 70s, the biggest conversations revolved around the economy, more specifically a lack of jobs. Access to healthcare – including dentistry – is a major issue of our day.
“And a lot of people with previously good oral health, now have significant problems.
“We’re in the middle of a shift and there’s a lot of discussion going on in this profession with regards to what the industry might look like in the future.
“What will the government provide? It’s unlikely to be as it was before Covid times.”
Adam Jaffa, managing partner at privately operated Gentle Dental Care and dentist Lucy Stock
‘Dentistry is a vocation – dentists don’t want people to suffer’
Adam adds that conversations surrounding access to timely services are a sore point for dentists.
He adds: “Dentists genuinely want to help people, that’s why they do this.
“We’re listening at Gentle Dental Care, and taking time with people. We understand that many are feeling distress and desperation.
“We operate as a private dentist aiming to keep prices affordable, offering flexible payment plans tailored to each patient.
“We have increased our staff and sought to make online booking easy – anything to help alleviate some of that stress and frustration.
“When people are in snowballing mode with an abscess, broken tooth etc and haven’t had time to save, we want to get them in and get them treated rather than having to wait and suffer pain.
“We’re working hard to make that pathway as flexible as possible. To date, there’s been very few cases that we can’t sort a payment plan for.”
Patient consultation at Gentle Dental (WCampbell ARPS)
‘Big conversations will need to happen in order to protect the vulnerable’
Adam explains that as dental practices here see more patients with workplace healthcare and insurance plans, big conversations will need to take place to protect those who are unemployed or can’t work.
“Workplaces are stepping up and realising that it is in their interest to keep employees, and their families, healthy with attractive healthcare plans and I’m expecting that trend to continue,” adds Adam.
“Some of the US companies that set up here offer really wonderful packages that even include braces and cosmetic dentistry.
“This is incredible, but naturally the conversation needs to turn to the unemployed and ensuring that a safety net is in place for them.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities are also extremely important. We’re seeing an increasing number of children requiring dedicated and more individualised support.
There are of course dentists that dedicate their entire career to this, but we need more bodies on the ground to help ensure that these children, and their parents and carers, get the help they need and deserve.”
— Adam Jaffa, Gentle Dental Care
“Children with special educational needs and disabilities are also extremely important. We’re seeing an increasing number of children requiring dedicated and more individualised support.
“There are of course dentists that dedicate their entire career to this, but it is still a great area of need and we need more bodies on the ground to help ensure that these children, and their parents and carers, get the help they need and deserve.”
While Adam comments that the trend for seeking cheaper, sometimes under-regulated, treatment abroad has “slackened off”, there are still people here turning to DIY dentistry.
He adds: “People are trying to do what they can at home to manage serious and debilitating issues but we don’t want is a return to Victorian-era type solutions as people wait desperately for care.
“That’s why the team at Gentle Dental Care are trying to be as accessible as possible.”
‘The good news… we’re in a golden era of innovation’
Although it is easy to get lost in the never-ending tide of negative headlines surrounding NHS dentistry, Adam does enthuse that there is lots to be positive about as dentistry enters a golden era of innovation with lots of new technology and treatments.
“It’s a different moment for dentistry and we’re fortunate to have eight dentists to keep up-to-date with these advances and share knowledge and expertise.
“We can make results better and more streamlined, all accelerated by AI. We can do so much without the patient even having to be in the chair,” said Adam.
“The pace of innovation is remarkable, so much has changed since my father retired. And people who haven’t been to a dentist in years, will see a huge change.
“We’re also entering a new era for anxious patients, it’s getting easier.”
‘An exciting time for graduates’
Queen’s University Belfast scored the highest ranking UK dentistry course in 2024 and in 2023.
Adam adds: “We need to make it super attractive for these graduates to stay in Northern Ireland where there is great need.
“I recently met some [graduates]. They are super motivated and are going to be a wonderful asset to the industry. We’ve also so many great dentists from the Republic of Ireland and abroad.
“Dentistry is a vocation but it’s still a huge commitment to take that student loan. Therefore it’s important that everything stabilises and that dentistry remains a really attractive profession.”
Gental Dental Care
It’s well known the link between gum disease and heart disease and Adam reiterates the importance of good dental health for overall health.
“Now experts are highlighting a link between gum disease and diabetes,” he adds.
“Working in unison with other healthcare professionals, dentists are interested in whole health and a holistic approach.
“Dentists are motivated to help avoid problems and stress preventative care.
“It’s about taking the time to discuss overall health.
“That’s why it’s so important to stress that at Gentle Dental Care, in this time of uncertainty, we are here to listen to you.”