New Data: Number of Registered Dentists in Northern Ireland Drops to 1,174 in 2026 Q1, with 795 Patients per Dentist on Average

Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

DentalGoodNews｜On August 3, 2026, local time, the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) released the quarterly series report on dental services for Q1 2026. Data show that the number of registered patients in Northern Ireland stood at 933,427 (down 3.4% year-on-year), while the number of dentists fell to 1,174 (down 1.5% year-on-year). Calculated as registered patients ÷ dentists, the average number of patients per dentist this quarter was approximately 795, down from approximately 810 in the same period last year. In terms of year-on-year declines, the drop in registered patients (-3.4%) was greater than that in dentists (-1.5%), and the decline in this ratio was primarily driven by the larger decrease in registered patients relative to dentists.

Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

The report shows that as of 2026/27 Q1, the total number of dental practices in Northern Ireland was 349, down 0.6% quarter-on-quarter and 2.2% year-on-year. By region, registered patient numbers all showed downward trends. The Western region recorded the most pronounced year-on-year decline at 7.6% (from 151,204 to 139,659); Belfast fell 3.4% year-on-year; and the Northern region saw a relatively smaller decline of 2.3%.

Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

In terms of routine treatment activity, all four core treatment items showed year-on-year declines: fillings at 124,373 cases (down 8.0% year-on-year), extractions at 27,474 cases (down 10.4% year-on-year), X-ray examinations at 135,232 cases (down 6.0% year-on-year), and crown procedures at 3,074 cases (down 15.5% year-on-year). Compared with the same period before the pandemic, all items remained at relatively low levels. Quarter-on-quarter data show that fillings, extractions, and crown procedures all increased this quarter, with crown procedures posting the highest quarter-on-quarter growth at 6.2% among the four items.

Source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)

In terms of expenditure and claims, a total of 235,379 treatment claims were made this quarter, up 2.6% quarter-on-quarter; IOS Treatment Fees Paid totaled £16,691,000, up 4.8% quarter-on-quarter. Compared with the same period last year, treatment claims fell 3.8% and IOS Treatment Fees Paid declined 2.5%.

As previously reported by DGN, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland announced in April this year an investment of £8 million to support dental services, aiming to improve access to care and alleviate workforce shortages. Based on this quarter's report data, the average number of patients per dentist fell from approximately 810 in the same period last year to approximately 795, representing a limited change. Given that the decline in registered patients (down 3.4% year-on-year) outpaced that in dentists (down 1.5% year-on-year), the decrease in this indicator is mainly attributable to the reduction in registered patients and cannot alone serve as evidence of improved dental service provision.