Agenda item

Presentation by the Senior Primary Care Manager (Primary Care Dental Commissioning Lead) North East & North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

The Senior Primary Care Manager – Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and colleagues delivered a presentation updating members on NHS regulations and responsibilities of dental provision.

Members were provided with an overview and received an update on current issues and challenges faced by the service which included current workforce and retention issues, the impact of COVID resulting in a greater demand for care currently and the need to support and stabilise current offers and capacity.

Members were updated on current actions being taken to tackle challenges including a £3.8m spend to identify patients with greatest clinical need and to commission additional capacity with pilot schemes being undertaken at practices to refine the process of identifying patients with greatest need.  Flexible commissioning is also available for practices, with offsets available for recruiting overseas dentists and general recruitment work being undertaken in order to attract overseas dentists.

Oral health promotion initiatives were highlighted including supervised toothbrushing schemes in Darlington schools with around 1000 children currently taking part, aiming for prevention from early years.  A focus also being present for older adults in nursing and residential care with training provided for staff, residents and families as recognised by CQC and rated “best-practice”.  Oral health training is also present for Public Health and Social Care staff.

Members raised discussions around the need to be registered at a practice before they are willing to see a patient and if given an urgent appointment slot whether this will be charged as private care or NHS; dental colleagues clarified that this would need to be established when contacting the practice in question.

Questions were asked regarding the opening of Eastbourne practice; clarified that timelines are set at time of tender with service commencement date yet to be established until the current phases are complete.

A further question was asked, as to what factors have resulted in the current staff shortage and were informed that a lot of newly qualified dentists prefer to focus on cosmetic dentistry rather than general practice and with certain practice locations also not being desirable (e.g. rural practices).

Wider context was also highlighted, pointing out that high sugar diets are a main cause for decay and that the Childhood Healthy Weight Plan aims to promote de-normalising sugar in children’s diets.

It was also stated that Councillors could share information in ward newsletters if NHS colleagues provide information to the portfolio holder in the first instance.

Members voiced their appreciation for the volume and quality of information provided in the presentation.

RESOLVED – That the presentation and updates provided be noted.