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Dentists in Northern Ireland will be able to provide non-urgent care to the public from 29 June, according to the British Dental Association (BDA).

Phase three, which will permit dentists to carry out aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) including fillings, is scheduled to start from 20 July.

The BDA says the timetable has been confirmed by the Department of Health.

The association warned that a shortage of personal protective equipment "could easily jeopardise any progress".

AGPs, involving the use of high-speed instruments, represent the majority of dental treatments.

Dentists performing these procedures are expected to use full personal protective equipment (PPE), similar to those used in hospital ICUs.

The BDA has estimated that the cost of PPE, ignoring other treatment costs has increased by up to 6,000%.

"Costs for kit were around 35-45 pence pre-pandemic, and could now stand at £20-30 depending on exact PPE requirements and usage."

The BDA has said it believes the integration of dental services into the wider government supply chain will be a pre-requisite to any plan to restore routine care.

No decision has yet been taken on whether dentists will have access to the central government supply of PPE.

Richard Graham, chair of the BDA's Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee said: "We finally have a timetable. Dentists need time to prepare, but PPE remains the elephant in the room.

"Practices face not only shortages but crippling increases in costs for vital protective kit.

"We can put out the welcome mat, but without access to government supply chains, we will be in no position to treat patients.

"But we will need help to survive the new normal," he continued.

"Without long term support, sky-high overheads and fewer patents could be the final nail in the coffin for the service in NI.

"We trust the department will step up to the plate."

The Department of Health's acting chief dental officer, Michael Donaldson, said dentists and staff have "gone the extra mile" during the coronavirus pandemic.

"The nature of dental treatment means that the patient and dentist are in very close proximity and many dental procedures are aerosol-generating, which brings heightened risk of virus transmission.

"Therefore, one of the key elements necessary to allow practices to move to phases 2 and 3 is the availability of suitable PPE.

"In recognition of this, the Department of Health will support dentists in restoring services by providing help with PPE supplies."