Chair of the Dental Committee of the Northern Ireland Business Services Organisation

Date published: 9 June 2026

The BSO was established in 2009 to provide a range of regional business support functions and specialist professional services across the Health and Social Care sector in Northern Ireland. 

Under the General Dental Services Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993, the BSO is required to constitute a committee, known as the Dental Committee, to advise and assist the BSO and the Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) in the delivery of its functions. 

Role of the Dental Committee

The Dental Committee examines applications from dentists for prior approval to carry out certain treatments. Items of treatment requiring prior approval are specified in Determination I of the Statement of Dental Remuneration.

The Dental Committee may also investigate where it considers that a particular dentist’s pattern of treatment differs markedly from that of other general dental practitioners in the same area or region. In the event of no satisfactory explanation, the Committee can require the dentist to seek approval before carrying out any further treatments, even though the treatments involved are not ones for which dentists are normally required to seek prior approval.

Chair

The Chair of the Committee is appointed by the Department of Health and is required to commit around 20 days per annum to the appointment. The Chair will provide effective leadership to the Committee, ensuring its work is informed against agreed standards and guidance, and that decisions support the delivery of evidence-based and cost-effective outcomes. The Chair will also oversee the development and implementation of appropriate protocols to support high-quality decision-making.

In performing the role, opportunities for personal and professional development may arise through contacts with HSC bodies, the Department and other professions. 

Remuneration is £290 per day with travel and other allowances also payable in accordance with the HSC rates set out in the Departmental Circular HSC (F) 24/2024 - Payment of Travelling and Other Allowances To Members Determination (Northern Ireland) 2024.  A copy is available from https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/health/hscf-24-2024.pdf

Essential Criteria

The Chair must be a Dentist engaged in the provision of general dental services, currently registered with the General Dental Council, with at least 5 years’ experience in the last 10 years in the provision of General Dental Services in Northern Ireland. The Chair must also have had previous committee work experience. 

Applicants currently subject to an investigation or proceedings concerning their fitness to practice by any regulator or other licensing body will be ineligible to apply for this role. Should you be invited to interview, any new investigation or proceedings which have arisen after applications were submitted must be disclosed at interview.

General Criteria

In general, a candidate would be expected to meet the following criteria:

• Leadership - Providing effective leadership to the Committee, ensuring clear focus, direction, and delivery of outcomes.
• Influencing and working with others – Building and maintaining effective working relationships and influencing others to achieve objectives. 
• Committing to the non-executive role – Demonstrating an understanding of the non-executive role and the wider strategic and operational context.
• Analytical thinking and Decision Making– Assessing information, identifying issues and making sound evidence-based decisions in a team and organisational environment.
• Learning and Self-Development – Demonstrating a commitment to continuous professional development and effectiveness as a Committee Chair.

Expressions of Interest

If you have the relevant qualifications and experience, and believe you could make a positive contribution to the work of the Dental Committee, please email for a nomination form and further details about the appointment, quoting reference number BSO 1/26 to:

E-mail: gdoscorrespondence@health-ni.gov.uk.

Completed nomination forms must be received at the above address by 5pm on Wednesday 17^th June 2026.  Nominations received after the closing date will not be accepted by the Department.