I propose to take Questions Nos. 441 and 445 together.
The new National Oral Health Policy is being developed by my Department. The Policy is evidence-informed and aligns with relevant national and international policies and approaches.
The work has drawn on a wide range of inputs including deliberations of oral healthcare professionals through a series of working groups, detailed research and service user surveys which were commissioned to inform the work, consultation with a range of dental and oral health organisations and engagement on specific topics with dental practitioners. The resources of the Dental Health Foundation were utilised to assist with certain elements of policy development.
The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs. It is currently being finalised and I expect it will be published early in 2019.