Colr. Durkan also claimed that million of pounds earmarked for dentistry by the Minister for Health has been spent elsewhere.

"In September, the Health Minister announced a £4.4m package to tackle the crisis. However, it would appear this has simply not worked. The majority of this money has not been directed towards improving access to treatment. Some of this has gone into practice allowances, while a further segment has been allocated for cross-infection controls," he said.

Colr. Durkan said the investments in the health system would be cold comfort to local people looking for NHS dentists. "While these are worthwhile they will do little for the hundreds of people in Derry who cannot get to see an NHS dentist and are already struggling to make ends meet, such as the elderly, young children or those on benefits. People are fed-up with the delay and the Minister must act immediately.

"We also need to see a proper investment strategy that makes practice ownership more attractive. Funding directed towards training must ensure our graduate dentists have places available to them to work here, where they can help alleviate a situation which is clearly at crisis levels," he added.