The North East has a number of "dental deserts" and key building blocks of oral health "do not currently exist" warn top health leaders in the region.
The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) took on responsibility for commissioning dental care in April - and a new report highlights how we face "quite a significant risk" to public health in terms of access to dentistry services here. The ICB bosses are to urgently review dental care in the region - and report back no later than October this year.
Issues identified already include the favouring of private practice and ongoing recruitment problems. The review will consider recommendations around ensuring the fluoridation of water supplies, potential public awareness campaigns, international best practice, and ways to "tackle outdated contracting arrangements". It will also investigate the particularly acute issues seen in rural areas - with North Northumberland being one area to see long-term issues with the provision of dentistry.
