£7mn Toothbrushing Project Gets Green Light
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- Published: Tuesday, 17 September 2024 09:25
- Written by Peter Ingle
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Keir Starmer has spoken of the need for change within the NHS. The message is that that simply putting more money into the current set up, will not fix all of the challenges facing the service.
A trio of recent stories from the North West and South East illustrate some of the difficult choices that the NHS will have to make on dentistry.
A new report from Child of the North – led by the N8 Research Partnership of Northern universities, and Health Equity North – and the Centre for Young Lives, has made a series of proposals to tackle the children’s oral health crisis in England.
The report calls on the new Government to develop a national child oral health strategy and makes recommendations to reduce sugar consumption among children, optimise fluoride exposure, and increase access to dental care. The report urges ministers to roll out tooth brushing programmes in schools, and highlighted the University of Liverpool Smile Squad project. Working together, the University’s Paediatric Dentistry department and Liverpool FC’s LFC Foundation charity organise dental screenings to identify children who have unmet dental needs. As well as providing evidence-based prevention the scheme also includes a supervised tooth brushing programme and signposting to available services.
Meanwhile, in South Essex a £7.1million project to tackle poor dental hygiene in children hopes to see schools paired up with practices, to ensure children and young people can access treatment.
The plan is for schools across South Essex to be linked to a nearby dental practice so children will get guidance and education on oral care, and when needed can get treatment at the linked practice.
According to documents discussed by the Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board, the “children and young people dental pilot” will run for three years across south Essex at a cost of £7.1million.
This follows Southend Council announcing their intention to send teams into primary schools to carry out a “supervised tooth brushing programme” as part of a £50,000 contract.
Laurie Burton, councillor responsible for children, young people, and SEND at Southend Council, said: “The health and wellbeing of children is a top priority for the current Southend Council administration. We welcome this extra funding in child dental hygiene from the integrated care board.”
Despite the pilots cost of £7.1million, it is expected to generate significant savings over time by reducing the need for more complex dental treatments later in life. With an argument that will appeal to hard pressed ministers, Councillor Burton added: “It may seem like a big investment, but the money saved in the long term from expensive treatments is sure to outweigh the extra spend now.”
The new initiative covers all schools across South Essex and will provide educational sessions for young children, parents, carers, and school staff on maintaining good oral hygiene. Any necessary dental treatments for the children will be available at the linked dental practices.
Dental practices in the area are being encouraged to express interest in joining the pilot.
At the same time that the child of the North report was being published, Liverpool World ran a less positive story about someone from a different demographic. Editor Dominic Raynor told of his attempts to find an NHS dentist. While his children have NHS dental care in the area, he has been without an NHS dentist for over five years.
He called 32 practice in South Sefton, and Southport and Formby. None of them were able to accept him as an adult NHS patient. He was left with three options; to join an NHS waiting list (offered by three dentists), to have private treatment or, and only if he had an emergency, to contact the Mersey Care hotline.
The growing call for tooth brushing schemes and a focus on priority groups will appeal to the head, heart, and limited funds, of commissioners. Such schemes will make a strong case for clawback money from the dental budget, as well as any new funding, should it emerge.
Mr Raynor may be in for a long wait.
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