Shetland dental director outlines plans to tackle backlogs
NHS Shetland’s dental director, Antony Visocchi, has written to patients on the island outlining plans to tackle backlogs.
Mr Visocchi said that he was writing to NHS dental patients to provide an update on the reopening of dental services and to inform patients about what is being done to reduce backlogs. Services across the UK are under increased pressure due to the pandemic, with practices closed for several weeks in 2020 and capacities limited.
In the letter, which was sent to all NHS patients in Shetland, Mr Visocchi explained that the Public Dental Service, which provides care for patients in vulnerable groups, had been forced to take on patients usually treated by the General Dental Service. As a result of the pandemic, services are under intense pressure and patients are having to wait longer for treatment but dentists are working tirelessly to improve access.
NHS Shetland’s Public Dental Service is remobilising provision across sites in Shetland and patients with priority needs will be seen first.
From May 2021, the range of treatments available to patients will expand but patients have been advised that they face a wait for routine treatment. As practices were closed during the first lockdown and restrictions on patient numbers have been in place since, there is a significant backlog of patients looking to book a routine appointment.
Mr Visocchi has appealed to patients to “help us help you” and to “bear with” the team while they increase activity. Once priority and emergency cases have been attended to, dentists will be offering more routine appointments.
