Welcome for Extra NHS Dentists in East Antrim.

East Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has welcomed progress in providing more NHS dentists in the Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus districts. These areas were indentified by the Department of Health as lacking access to NHS dentistry, and as a result Minister Michael McGimpsey announced a new contract to provide access for an additional 57,000 health service patients across Northern Ireland last year.

Roy Beggs commented:
"There has been a dearth of NHS dentists in Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey for some time now, and people have been struggling to get access to a dentist without having to go private. I am pleased that the Minister has taken positive steps to rectify this. I asked a question in the Assembly and am pleased to learn that two new practices run by Oasis Dental Care are due to open very soon at Lancastrian Street, Carrickfergus and 350 Antrim Road, Glengormley. This is excellent news and will go some way to ensure that the general public in East Antrim has access to a health service dentist."

The Ulster Unionist Party MLA asked the Minister what progress has been made in rolling out the contract awarded to Oasis Dentistry to provide more Health Service dentists; and when and where the service will be provided in the Carrickferus and Newtownabbey districts. In response Michael McGimpsey said:

"As you are aware I announced in May 2009 that the Department had awarded a tender to Oasis Dental Care Ltd for additional dental services which will result in 38 additional dentists being available in various areas of Northern Ireland. I can confirm that excellent progress has been made. The first practices in Enniskillen and Londonderry opened on Monday, 16 November 2009 and we are currently on schedule for the rest being operational within the next 3-4 months.

Subject to planning permission, it is intended that the Carrickfergus Oasis dental practice will be based at Lancastrian Street, Carrickfergus and is scheduled to open in late March 2010. The Newtownabbey Oasis dental practice will be based at 350 Antrim Road, Glengormley, Newtownabbey and is also scheduled to open in late March 2010, again subject to planning permission."

Doe Planning Service have subsequently granted approval of the change of use at Unit 3 Lancastrian street after the recent consultation meeting with Carrickfergus Borough Council.

ENDS
Note to Editor:
NIA Q&A: http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/qanda/2007mandate/writtenans/2009/100226.htm#9
Minister McGimpsey announced to award of a contract to Oasis Dental care on May 13 2009 to provide 38 additional dentists across Northern Ireland in hotspot areas. 2 are being provided in Carrickfergus and 4 in Newtownabbey.