Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation from the Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning, County Durham Care Partnership/Durham County Council which provided an update on NHS Dentistry.

The presentation also provided a summary overview of NHS dentistry; NHS commissioned capacity; urgent dental care services in County Durham; significant challenges to people accessing dentistry in North East and North Cumbria; national dental recovery plan; local approach to tackling challenges; local actions undertaken; oral health initiatives and next steps (for copy of presentation, see file of minutes).

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning advised Members that urgent dental access centres had been commissioned in County Durham, the locations were to be confirmed.

Mrs Gott asked when the new services were available if leaflets could be placed in GP practices.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning responded that leaflets could be provided to GP practices and the information shared with care navigators in GP practices.

Councillor Hunt asked how often the information provided to 111 was updated and advised that one of her constituents was provided with contact details for dentists who all turned her away, so the information provided was incorrect.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning advised that she would follow this up and advised Members that it was up to dentists to update if they were accepting patients and prioritising their capacity.

Councillor Anderson referred to the COVID era and some people in her division who were unregistered from practices for non-attendance and were now struggling to access a dentist.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning responded that COVID was just one factor, and all factors have put greater pressure on services.

Councillor Anderson asked how they could encourage dentists once qualified to remain in the NHS.

Councillor Hunt stated that tooth decay was linked to bad food choices as a result of deprivation.

Councillor Adam referred to the difficulty obtaining an emergency dental appointment and provided an example of where they provided antibiotics for an abscess but would not treat after the abscess had gone due to the dentist not taking on any more NHS patients.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning stated that it was helpful for Members to share their experiences with her so that she could pass these onto the team and impact on change.

Councillor Hunt stated that any other severe infection you would be admitted into hospital. People could die from gum infection who were not getting treated.

The Chair stated that GPs were not allowed to treat dental problems due to medical indemnity.

Councillor Hovvels stated that people are confused on who to contact.

Councillor Hunt stated that if you have an infection you can go to a pharmacy for antibiotics but when it was oral no one would help other than a dentist.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning responded that the longer-term work would help but the reality was that currently there were challenges experienced in terms of the provision of and access to NHS Dentistry services local, regionally and nationally.

Councillor Robson reiterated members’ concerns around the absence of an accessible NHS Dentistry service and the potential impact that this would have on wider health and wellbeing of the local community.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning referred to the national actions and stated that the government were reviewing this and had come out with a number of points such as more work force and attract dentists and reviewing the national contract. She stated that nationally it was recognised as a problem.

In response to a further question from Councillor Robson, The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning stated that the number of training places in dental schools had been extended to attract more people into dentistry but stated that many dentists had chosen to work in private practice.

Councillor Hovvels referred to dental nurses and what investment had gone into this and what changes would they see in the near future.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning responded that there was a dental workforce plan. She would bring a briefing report back to the committee on dental workforce.

Councillor Hunt referred to the shortage of dentists but if you say you are private you can get into the practice and stated that it was more about the money.

Councillor Anderson asked what happened to dental hygienists.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning would bring this back as part of the briefing.

Councillor Quinn expressed concern that people were self-caring and pulling their own teeth out and stated that they as much as possible needed to be done to ensure that NHS Dental services were available across County Durham.

The Director of Local Delivery, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning responded that she was keen to have conversations about disseminating information into the community.

Resolved: That the contents of the presentation be noted.