The Department of Health says problems with its provision of NHS dental care may be at a turning point
Several dentists have left the service in the last year, which has put pressure on the service and led to routine check-ups being suspended.
Over the last few months the department has been screening those who were on the waiting list for an NHS dentist so they could be assessed and put into different categories.
However, Health Minister David Anderson says around 25 per cent of people who were meant to be on the list didn't attend the screening sessions, which may mean the department's figures are slightly high as people may have made other arrangements.
Of those screened over 200 were classed in the most urgent category and they are being allocated to dentists to be seen as a priority.
Mr Anderson says it's hoped more dentists will be recruited shortly and he believes the problem may be at a turning point:
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