MLA raises concern over ‘potential abuses of dental provision to asylum seekers’

A DUP MLA has said medical professionals have raised concerns that adult asylum seekers in Northern Ireland are presenting themselves as children to access dental services.

Health Minister Mike Nesbitt told Jonathan Buckley that if he is holding information about the practice then he should present it to the police.

During ministerial question time at the Assembly, Mr Buckley asked Mr Nesbitt about the “huge pressures” facing dentists.

He said: “Can I ask has he received any concerns from dental practitioners regarding potential abuses of dental provision and wider social services available to asylum seekers in Northern Ireland?”

The Health Minister said he was unaware of any reported abuses.

Mr Buckley added: “Dental practitioners and social workers have been in contact with me raising concerns that a number of asylum seeker patients who, in their professional opinion, are most certainly adults, are presenting themselves as children when accessing dental treatment in Northern Ireland.

“They feel unable to voice their concerns for fear of being branded far-right or racist.

“Can I ask the minister, does he acknowledge that if this is happening, this is of huge concern, it presents wider safeguarding issues for wider use of social services?

“Will the minister commit to looking into this issue which warrants serious investigation and commit to come back to the House?”

Mr Nesbitt responded: “I would suggest if the member is holding that information, he should not hold it and he should pass it immediately to the Police Service of Northern Ireland and indeed potentially the Safeguarding Board of Northern Ireland.”