1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 This report provides an overview of NHS dental services in Brighton & Hove. Information supplied by NHS Sussex, the new commissioners of dentistry, is included as Appendix 1 to this report.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That Committee notes the contents of this report and its appendix.

3. Context and background information

3.1 NHS dental services have in recent years been commissioned by NHS England (NHSE) regional teams. However, with the development of Integrated Care Systems, primary care commissioning has recently been devolved to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs). In the case of Brighton & Hove, this means that the Sussex ICB, NHS Sussex, is now responsible for commissioning NHS dentistry.

3.2 More detail about NHS dental services is included in the attached paper from NHS Sussex (Appendix 1).

3.3 Members may wish to note that dental services have previously been subject to scrutiny by the HOSC. On these occasions, HOSC members were particularly concerned about whether there was sufficient NHS capacity to meet local need and about how spare local capacity was communicated to residents.

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 Not relevant to this report for information.

5. Community engagement and consultation

5.1 Healthwatch Brighton & Hove have been informed about this item and have circulated a paper separately to members outlining their concerns and recent actions regarding dentistry.

6. Conclusion

6.1 Members are asked to note the update on dentistry from NHS Sussex.

7. Financial implications

7.1 Not relevant to this information report.

8. Legal implications

8.1 There are no legal implications to this report.

Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted (10/01/24):

9. Equalities implications

9.1 None directly to this information report. Members may be interested in provision of dental services for people in particular vulnerable groups, such as rough sleepers and neurodivergent people.

10. Sustainability implications

10.1 None identified.

Supporting Documentation

Appendices

1. Information on dental services provided by NHS Sussex