Additional funding confirmed to improve dental access in Cambridgeshire
Dental patients in Cambridgeshire are set to benefit from a funding boost, as the NHS looks to improve access to dental services.
England’s chief dental officer, Sara Hurley, has promised to take action following a review of NHS dental provision in the county. A report compiled by Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough revealed that patients, particularly those who live in Peterborough and Wisbech, are struggling to get an appointment. Speaking at a Healthwatch board of directors meeting on September 11th, Caroline Tyrell-Jones, communities programme manager, stated that the report had contributed to an increase in funding for dental services in the area, raising awareness of dental shortages and highlighting the need for additional NHS places.
Although the situation is worse in parts of Cambridgeshire, the report highlights issues that are relevant right across the country. Chief dental officer, Sara Hurley, said there is “clear and compelling evidence” to support investment in dental health. Spending more on NHS services will not only improve standards of dental health and promote prevention, but also save the NHS money in years to come.
Ms Hurley also suggested that she would be launching a large-scale initiative to survey dental professionals and care providers in a bid to collect data that will improve provision going forward.
In addition to increasing funding for the area’s Dental Access centres, Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough also confirmed that new dental health initiatives for children have been launched. The number of tooth extractions carried out on children in Peterborough reached an all-time high in 2018
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