100,000 NI dental patients could lose all access to care, warns BDA

Nov 23, 2020

Good afternoon,

Welcome to your lunchtime update from the team at the News Letter. I hope you enjoy this specially selected round-up of news, sport, features and opinion pieces.

Our award-winning investigations team today reveals how dentistry has been thrown into chaos by Covid-19 and how it was struggling even before the pandemic triggered what the British Dental Association describes as an "existential crisis".

Reporter Philip Bradfield has been finding out what the crisis in the dental sector means for patients across Northern Ireland as well dentists themselves. His series of must-read "Dentistry in Decay" pieces give voice to those struggling to obtain appointments and to dentists facing very real financial and personal pressures.

You can read all of the stories in this round-up and many more at www.newsletter.co.uk Digital subscriptions are available for only £1 per month for the first three months. Doing so means you will see fewer ads while you read our stories, and access four free puzzle games every day - made just for subscribers. As we approach Black Friday we've cut the cost of subscriptions by 30 per cent so no better time to treat yourself to unlimited online News Letter coverage.

Have a good day.

Valerie Martin,

Head of Content.


	Coronavirus: 100,000 NI dental patients could lose all access to care, warns BDA

	Around 100,000 of the most vulnerable dental patients across Northern Ireland could be left without access to care if Covid-19 pressures on practices are not addressed, according to the British Dental Association (BDA).

Follow our LIVE BLOG for all the latest Coronavirus news and what it means for you

Northern Ireland’s Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA) Professor Ian Young has said if everyone follows the new restrictions due to come into play on November 27 for two weeks there is a very good chance no further restrictions would be required before Christmas.

Bobby Storey funeral: Sinn Fein ‘face questions’ over email to members telling them that the wake would be open to the public

Sinn Fein “faces questions” over an allegation the party emailed members details of the funeral arrangements for senior republican Bobby Storey, and described his wake as “open to the public”.

Discussions being held between UK and Ireland which would allow NI families to meet up over Christmas

Discussions are being held between the UK and Ireland around arrangements for the Christmas period under coronavirus restrictions.

NI pastor vows to keep church open despite Covid lockdown

An evangelical pastor in Belfast has vowed to keep his church doors open despite the coronavirus lockdown.

‘Growing dissent and anger’ among churchgoers over Covid lockdowns: Rev Norman Hamilton

Former Presbyterian moderator Rev Norman Hamilton said he senses “growing dissent” in the church community over the ‘circuit breaker’ lockdowns.

Republican protest at GAA sportswear factory over ‘Battle of Britain’ kits

Republicans staged a weekend protest at the O’Neills factory in Strabane after the company, which is best known for producing GAA kits and equipment, fulfilled ordered for sports tops commemorating British armed forces.

Crust and Crumb set to create 88 new jobs in over £5m investment

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has announced a major £5.8million investment by Fermanagh based bakery, Crust and Crumb.

This year’s pandemic has shown how reliant we are on rural communities - Minister Edwin Poots

In the last of our Changed Lives series, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots acknowledges the challenges faced by farmers and those in rural areas during the pandemic and pays tribute to their resilience

Ben Lowry: Just imagine if the Holylands was 94% Protestant

We reported this week that 94% of students residing in the Holylands area near Queen’s University, Belfast, come from a Catholic background.

MORNING VIEW: It is a disgrace that Michelle O’Neill is presiding over coming lockdown given that Storey funeral breach is still unresolved

Much about the coming lockdown is uncertain or of dubious merit. But one thing is clear.

NI artist Dawn Crothers draws global audience to online art tutorials

A Belfast artist trying to relieve the boredom of lockdown recently attracted 1,500 people to an online painting tutorial.

THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Wild scenes in Parliament and shouts of ‘kill him, kill him’ uttered

From the News Letter, November 23, 1920

Steven Gerrard confusion over ‘sad’ Alfredo Morelos after Rangers win

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard savoured some “incredible” football in yesterday’s 4-0 win over Aberdeen and was flummoxed as to why Alfredo Morelos did not share his joy.

Know your Sport? Test your knowledge with our fun quiz

Try your hand at our regular quiz.

Ulster’s special seven in PRO14

Ulster made it seven wins out of seven in the PRO14 with a hard-fought 26-24 win over the Scarlets at Kingspan Stadium.

Flashback: Steve McClaren sacked as England manager after Euro 2008 failure

Steve McClaren was sacked as England manager on November 22 13 years ago.

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