West Tyrone MLA Maolíosa McHugh says that increasing difficulties being experienced by patients attempting to access NHS dental provision are highlighted by a Strabane mother being told that July of next year is the earliest date that an appointment could be offered for her children.
Mr McHugh says a BBC investigation earlier this year found that almost 90% of practices in the north are not accepting adults and children for dental care, and that he says seems very much to be the case in Strabane.
He says a Department of Heath plan to develop a scheme to improve access to urgent and emergency dental care must be progressed, and moves must be made to ensure that dentists are adequately paid for their NHS work……….
