Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the Department of Health must do more to support dentists as they prepare to return to procedures.

The party’s health spokesperson was commenting after a number of dentists raised concern the lack of PPE and high costs of equipment.

Colm Gildernew said:

“From today dental practices are allowed to return to performing non-aerosol-generating procedures.

“Many dentists have raised serious concern at being unable to afford the expensive personal protective equipment needed to keep them safe putting the future of their practices at risk.

“There is also significant concern at the lack of support and guidance from the Department of Health for dental practices to either source or pay for the equipment.

“We have raised the matter with the Chief Dental Officer in the health committee and we believe their answers were unsatisfactory and no commitment was made to address the issue.

“The Department has been aware of this for a number of weeks – the issue must be addressed urgently.”