Two new urgent dental care centres open in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles
Two new urgent dental care hubs have opened in Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.
The new emergency facilities join a centre in Bodmin, which opened in April. The latest hub in Cornwall is located in Truro, with one service now operating on the islands.
The openings will come as welcome news to patients in Cornwall, with reports suggesting that some patients were finding it difficult to access immediate dental care since practices closed in March.
NHS England has been working with NHS Improvement to create a vast new network of urgent hubs across the country to provide emergency relief while dental surgeries are shut. The exact locations of the centres have not been revealed to ensure that patients can only attend with an appointment. This is to make sure that those who need emergency care are prioritised and also to keep staff members and patients safe during the pandemic.
Dental clinics were advised to close and postpone routine appointments at the end of March, and is not yet known when they will be able to reopen. In the meantime, patients who need advice have a range of options. Most practices are offering telephone advice and online consultations, with dentists able to prescribe medication online. There is also general dental care guidance available on the NHS Choices website.
Patients who do not have a dentist can call NHS 111 for advice. The urgent dental centres are reserved for individuals who need assistance quickly, with dentists treating injuries, severe pain and infections. Patients who are registered with a local practice are advised to contact NHS 111 outside of working hours.
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