Citation, commencement and interpretation

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the General Dental Services (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2009 and shall come into operation on 1st August 2009.

(2) In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the Health and Personal Social Services General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993(3).

Amendment of the principal Regulations

2.—(1) The principal Regulations are amended in accordance with paragraphs (2) to (4).

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation) for the definition of “referral dental officer” substitute ““referral dental officer” means a dental officer in the employment of the Regional Health and Social Care Board established by section 7 of the Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009(4);”.

(3) In paragraph 8(1) of Schedule 2 (Duration and extension of a continuing care arrangement) for “A continuing care arrangement shall lapse at the end of the 16th month beginning with the month in which—” substitute “A continuing care arrangement shall lapse at the end of the 25th month beginning with the month in which —”.

(4) In paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 2 (Duration and extension of a capitation arrangement) for “A capitation arrangement shall lapse at the end of the 16th month in which—” substitute “A capitation arrangement shall lapse at the end of the 25th month beginning with the month in which —”.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 8th July 2009.

Christine Jendoubi

A senior officer of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Finance and Personnel on 8th July 2009.

Adrian Arbuthnot

A senior officer of the Department of Finance and Personnel

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations further amend the Health and Personal Social Services General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 (“the principal Regulations”) which regulate the terms on which general dental services are provided under the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972.

Regulation 2(2) substitutes and amends the reference to “referral dental officer” to reflect that from the 1st August 2009 they are employees of the Regional Health and Social Care Board.

Regulation 2(3) and (4) amend Schedule 2 to the principal Regulations to increase the period that a patient is registered with a general dental practitioner from 15 months to 24 months.