NI grant scheme “a much needed boost”

Utilising underspend in the 2017-18 GDS budget, the Revenue Grant Scheme aims to help dental practices invest in meeting patient care quality and safety standards, as well as modernising practice infrastructure.

Funding must be used by 31 March 2018, but it will apply retrospectively to purchases made in the 2017/18 financial year.   

It is understood eligible items of expenditure range from everyday consumables such as files and gloves, to larger one-off practice investments such as amalgamators, cameras and hand instruments, as well as relevant training courses. 

A maximum allowance of 80 pence per Health Service registered patient has been set aside under the scheme. Practices are being written to advising of details of the grant scheme, and with an indication of their maximum practice allowance. 

Responding to the launch of the scheme, BDA NI Dental Practice Committee chair, Richard Graham, said,"General dental practices have been under unprecedented financial pressure over recent years, and this has directly impacted on their ability to invest in practice. It is right that money earmarked for dentistry within the GDS should be retained within dentistry.