Health leaders in Hampshire consider new dental bus scheme to boost capacity
Health leaders in Hampshire are considering a new dental bus scheme to increase capacity in the area.
The initiative would be similar to that used in 2012 and 2013 in Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire and would involve using a mobile dental unit to enable more patients to access NHS services around the county. At the moment, plans are at an early stage but the scheme is set to be discussed in more detail at an upcoming meeting of Portsmouth’s health and scrutiny committee.
The 2012/2013 project was pioneered in Portsmouth and an updated scheme would follow a similar process. Mobile vans are useful for boosting capacity, especially in communities where groups of patients struggle to access services, for example, elderly people and those who live in remote villages.
A report compiled by Health and Care Portsmouth suggests that the body is currently exploring ways to implement more flexible solutions for commissioning dental services, including the use of a dental bus.
Improving dental access is a priority for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Health Board, which recently took over commissioning responsibilities. Key areas highlighted by the board include Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and the Isle of Wight.
The number of NHS dentists working in Portsmouth has fallen significantly in recent years and is now well below the average for England.
Hampshire has been awarded 176,000 units of dental activity (UDAs) for 2023. More than 100,000 will be carried out in Portsmouth to try to boost services in the city. This equates to 15 new NHS dentists.
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