Middlesbrough Council to investigate dental services as access issues deepen
Councillors in Middlesbrough are set to investigate local dental services amid deepening access issues.
At a recent meeting of the council’s health scrutiny committee, it was decided that the council would take a closer look at dental provision as local people continue to struggle to get appointments. The latest figures presented to the panel show that over 10% of calls to NHS 111 are linked to dental problems.
Cllr Dorothy Davison said that dentistry was a “huge” problem for local people while South Tees public health chief, Mark Adams, admitted that it is “difficult” to access appointments. Mr Adams explained that commissioning responsibilities currently lie with NHS England but will soon transfer to local Integrated Health Boards as part of a planned shakeup.
Labour councillor Matt Storey said that he had been liaising with regional MPs, who had brought the issue to the table amid growing concern among constituents. Finding a dentist in the area is increasingly challenging and people are waiting months, or even years to get the help they need.
A survey by Healthwatch revealed that 80% of participants based in the North East had experienced difficulties getting a dental appointment. Some NHS patients have been advised that waiting times could be up to a year. There are private appointments available, but many people can’t afford to pay for private dentistry, which can be up to twenty times more expensive than NHS services.
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