DHSC minister doesn't believe it's directly linked to payment for NHS work
The health minister says it’s ‘difficult to see a direct correlation’ between the amount government pays private dentists to carry out NHS work and recruitment.
Lawrie Hooper says all dental providers on the Island are funded differently and his department and Manx Care don’t have a role in how much private dentists are paid.
The average payment for a unit of NHS dental activity on the Island is £29.
Around 4,000 people on the Island are currently on a waiting list for an NHS dentist.
Mr Hooper told the House of Keys this week there are ‘considerable difficulties’ with recruiting new dentists – even for salaried positions within the health service:
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Thirteen people entered or tried to enter the Island without immigration permission since January 2025