Norfolk primary school arranges dental check-ups for pupils
Children from a primary school in Norfolk underwent dental checks at school recently after teachers became increasingly concerned about falling standards of oral health.
Staff at West Earlham Infant School were worried about a growing number of children, who were experiencing dental problems. They were told by parents that it was impossible to get appointments with NHS dentists in the area and decided to take action. The school joined forces with John G Plummer Associates to organise free check-ups for pupils on the school grounds.
Visiting dentists provided 180 children with free dental checks, which was a huge relief for parents and teachers. The head had reached out to parents to voice concerns about the impact of dental issues, which have become more prevalent during the pandemic. Many parents said that they had tried to get appointments for their children multiple times, but there were no dental practices offering appointments or places for new NHS patients.
Norfolk is one of the worst affected areas for dental access issues, but there is a national shortage of dentists, which is making it difficult to make appointments across the UK. A recent Healthwatch report suggests that patients around the country are experiencing difficulties in joining NHS practices and getting appointments without a long wait.
Dentists recommend 6-monthly check-ups for children in addition to preventative treatments, such as fluoride varnish and sealant treatment, to reduce the risk of cavities. During the pandemic, practices closed and they have been running at a lower capacity since to minimise risks. Although some surgeries are now back to pre-pandemic levels of activity, many are not and some have switched from NHS to private dental services. There is a significant backlog, which is causing widespread access issues.
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