South Tyneside asks retired dentists for help
A South Tyneside council boss is calling on retired dentists to return to work because of growing lengthy waiting lists in the area.
In July this year The Shields Gazette reported that some local youngsters, up to the age of 16, had to wait almost three years to get braces fitted or see an orthodontist.
A dentist, who only works three days a week, was drafted in to alleviate some of the pressure but the borough waiting list still remains at 112 weeks, more than two years.
Now local residents are telling members of South Tyneside Council’s children and young people and independent and healthy lives committee that the situation is still totally unacceptable.
South Tyneside Primary Care Trust (PCT) has also been criticized for taking too long to sort the issue out.
Recommendations from the British Dental Health Foundation suggest that if orthodontic treatment is delayed jaw and joint problems can occur so its best to treat patients earlier in their lives.
Children with poor teeth can often suffer from low self-esteem and bullying from their peers.
Jim Foreman, council member for children and young people, now believes that retired dentists can help reduce the problem.
Councillor Foreman said the problems began when two South Tyneside orthodontists retiremed and that the PCT should go and ask those dentists to work part-time.
A PCT spokesperson said another cause of the delays was that the commissioner of orthodontic services in the area was on long-term sick leave.
The spokesperson accepted the public’s concerns and said that the trust should be responding faster.
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