NHS England confirms new dental contracts in Norfolk and Suffolk
NHS England has awarded new dental contracts in some of the most underserved areas of the country.
New NHS dental contracts have been awarded in parts of Suffolk and Norfolk. Seven contracts were available, and NHS England has found providers to take four so far.
The new contracts have been awarded in King’s Lynn, Norwich and Lowestoft. Smile Care Norfolk will take over two contracts in King’s Lynn and one in Norwich. The Lowestoft contract has been awarded to Apps Smiles Ltd.
In a letter sent out to local MPs, representatives from NHS England said that a tendering process had been launched to find providers for seven contracts in the region.
The aim was to provide appointments between 8am and 8pm 365 days a year across four sites. New deals have been signed in King’s Lynn, Norwich and Lowestoft, but no provider has yet been found for Leiston.
The contracts awarded to Apps Smiles Ltd and Smile Care Norfolk are for between 15,000 and 21,875 units of dental activity per year. A routine check-up is equivalent to 1 unit, while a filling equates to 3 units and dentures have a value of 12 units.
Mark Jones, head of the campaign group, Toothless in Suffolk, said that Leiston residents continue to miss out, with no provider found for the town.
Leiston currently has no NHS dental provision, and the situation was the reason Mr Jones launched the group. He criticised the NHS contract terms, suggesting that it was no surprise that clinics hadn’t come forward.
News of the new dental contracts was welcomed by James Wild, the MP for North West Norfolk. Mr Wild tweeted saying that he was “delighted” that King’s Lynn would have new services.
The contracts will commence in July 2022. NHs England confirmed that it will continue to work to find providers for Leiston, Thetford and Fakenham.
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