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  2. Representation
  3. Our structure
  4. Representative committees
  5. General Dental Practice
  6. Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee

It is recognised by government as having the status and authority to negotiate on behalf of all Health Service (HS) GDPs on matters of terms and conditions of service, contracts, and remuneration in the General Dental Services (GDS).

Our priorities

  • Representing the interests, and acting on behalf of all GDPs in Northern Ireland
  • Negotiating with government on terms and conditions and remuneration for GDPs
  • Formulating policy positions on issues that impact GDPs, including regulation of dental practice, increasing costs of running a dental practice, and negotiations towards a new GDS contract
  • Ensuring that the views of GDPs are represented when it comes to health policy being developed by government and other key organisations
  • Acting as a channel of communication between the BDA and GDPs.

Our team

Chair NIDPC Belfast/South Eastern HSCT

Ciara Gallagher

Ciara graduated with honours from the University of Birmingham in 1996, receiving the prestigious Carlton Gold Medal as the most outstanding dental graduate. In 1998, she was admitted as a Member of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners by the Royal College of Surgeons in London. Ciara owns Mullan Gallagher Dental Care, a thriving seven surgery dental practice in Downpatrick offering a comprehensive range of dental services, from routine check-ups and NHS dentistry to advanced cosmetic and implant treatments. A member of NIDPC for over a decade, Ciara is now in her second term as chair of this committee. Along with BDA and NIDPC colleagues, she has worked tirelessly to persuade government to mitigate the financial pressures involved in providing NHS dental care and acknowledge that the thirty-year-old contract is not fit for purpose. Ciara is proud to chair a committee of dedicated and compassionate peers and she is looking forward to a triennium of significant change, heralded by the forthcoming cost of service review, followed by negotiations and hopes this will finally produce an adequately funded, patient and prevention centred contract.
Ciara Gallaghe
Vice-Chair NIDPC Belfast/South Eastern HSCT

Philip McLorinan

Philip McLorinan is one of two vice chairs for NIDPC in the 2022-25 triennium. A Practice owner since 2004, Philip is also a part time Special Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at the School of Dentistry and an examiner for the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses. Philip is active within the NI Branch serving as Hon. Social Secretary and will be President 22-23. He received a BDA Award in 2021.
Philip McLorinan
Joint Vice-Chair

Helen Brogan

Helen is an Associate dentist working in the Northern Trust area in two predominantly health service practices. Helen is currently the Secretary of the Northern Area Local Dental Committee and has held this position since October 2017. She first qualified in 2015 and have been working in general practice since.
Helen Brogan

General Dental Services Levy Fund

BDA members receive a subsistence allowance where appropriate and have their travel costs reimbursed. The Northern Ireland General Dental Services Levy Fund pays dentists sessional rates for time away on committee business. See British Dental Guild Rate for information.

Get involved and get in touch

Members are elected on a constituency basis for a three-year period and the current triennium runs from 2022 - 2025. NIDPC is always keen to ensure that the views of GDPs are represented when it comes to health policy being developed by government. NIDPC are here to represent you and encourage you to get involved in BDA activity. The NIDPC can be contacted via email: northernIrelandoffice@bda.org