Agenda item

The Panel will receive a presentation relating to this agenda item.

Victoria Stanley, Programme Lead, BSW Community Pharmacy, Optometry and Dentistry introduced this item to the Panel. She began by referring to the point raised previously by Councillor Harding regarding dental extractions and said that she had made a request to be supplied that information and would share that with the Panel when it has been received.

She added that the advertising of the Community Pharmacies will be taking place and that a decision was taken not to do this over the Christmas / New Year period to avoid any potential uncertainty.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked what could be done in terms of the current capacity being insufficient to meet demand as only 60% of children and 33% of adults had seen a dentist within the last 12 months.

She added that she believed that issues relating to dental care were responsible for a substantial increase in hospital admissions for children.

Victoria Stanley replied that 39 dental contracts are commissioned across B&NES accounting for 213,032 Units of Dental Activity (UDA). She added that they were looking at plans to be able to utilise the flexible commissioning guidance and provide a service to those most in need; children, vulnerable people and looked after children.

She said that a conversation with one particular B&NES provider was due to take place very soon.

Kevin Burnett asked for an explanation for what the public can expect with regard to having access to dental care.

Victoria Stanley replied that the NHS measures access in terms of patient contacts and the utilisation of Units of Dental Activity. She added that each band of treatment equals a particular UDA. She said that they are working to try to increase the ability for the public to be able to access an NHS dentist and stated that as part of their current contracts they should be publicising when any such places do become available.

Kevin Burnett asked if the dental underspend mentioned within the report could be used to address these issues.

Victoria Stanley replied that this would be used to develop the flexible commissioning plans.

Kevin Burnett referred to page 33 of the agenda and asked if the complaints shown were to be expected and how are they addressed.

Victoria Stanley replied that this element had only transferred to the ICB in July 2023 and they did not have access to the previous data. She added that access to an NHS dentist was the main are of concern and that they were working alongside HealthWatch colleagues to gain an understanding of the feedback that is being given.

Councillor Joanna Wright asked what is meant by ‘All proper and necessary dental care and treatment’ within mandatory services and how can it be accessed if not in receipt of regular dental care.

Victoria Stanley replied that a dental triage service is available through calling 111.

Councillor Wright asked how many adults within B&NES had not received any recent dental care or were not registered with a dentist.

Victoria Stanley replied that only 33% of adults saw an NHS dentist in the last 24 months and that technically nobody is registered with a dentist, a patient is in receipt of regular dental care.

She added that they were looking at the issue of oral health care needs with Public Health colleagues across B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire and that a toothbrushing programme was due to commence for children.

Councillor Wright commented that the debt of a newly qualified dentist was substantial and therefore to operate as an NHS dentist was not profitable to them.

Victoria Stanley replied that the UDA price had been set in 2006 and that they were unable to move away from this at this point in time.

The Chair asked for reporting on this matter to continue through the regular updates from the ICB.

The Director of Public Health & Prevention offered to work with the ICB on a future report to the Panel.

The Chair thanked Victoria Stanley on behalf of the Panel for her report.