Explanatory Note
(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations revoke and replace provisions of the Health and Personal Social Services General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, as amended, (“the GDS Regulations”) relating to the right (which from 1st April 1999 is set out in Article 15F of the Health and Personal Social Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1972 (“the 1972 Order”)) of any person to choose a dentist from whom he is to receive primary dental services.
The Regulations make provisions both in relation to dentists who provide general dental services under Part VI of the 1972 Order, and in relation to dentists who perform personal dental services in connection with a pilot scheme under Article 3(1) of the Health Services (Primary Care) (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
Regulation 2 specifies the procedures for applying for primary dental services, subject to the dentist’s consent. Regulation 3 sets out the circumstances in which an application for primary dental services may be made on behalf of someone else. Regulation 4 revokes the provisions of the GDS Regulations which these Regulations replace.