Issue - items at meetings - NHS Dental Services: Update on the new Dental Contract

Report of the Acting Director of Strategy and Governance (copy attached).

7.1       This Item was introduced by Darren Grayson, Chief Executive of NHS Brighton & Hove.

7.2       In response to a question about plans to provide anti-coagulation clinics in community rather than acute hospital settings, Mr Grayson told members that non-specialist services would eventually be moved out of the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Mr Grayson could not confirm whether services would continue to be provided at Hove Polyclinic, but promised to pass this information on to the committee.

Report of the Director of Strategy and Governance (copy attached).

77.1    This Item was introduced by Claire Quigley, Director of Delivery, and by Cherie Young, Primary Care Commissioner for Dental and Optometry Services, NHS Brighton & Hove.

77.2    Ms Quigley and Ms Young answered members’ questions on subjects including: the quality of NHS dentistry Vs that of private dentistry; the cost of the NHS dentistry helpline; the definition of a dental emergency; dental hygiene services; dental operations and the 18 week targets; and charges for anaesthesia.

77.3    Members were informed that at the current time 27 (out of a total of 50) city dental practices were open to new NHS patients. The city dental helpline will direct callers to their nearest dental practice with spaces available. Should people present for treatment at a practice which has no spaces, staff at that practice should be able to advise of locally available alternatives. City GPs should also be able to signpost their patients to a local NHS dentist.

77.4    Members were told that attendances at city dentists had fallen markedly following the introduction of the new dental contract in 2006 (as had attendances nationally), but that attendance figures were now on the rise again. NHS Brighton & Hove is committed to ensuring that people who wish to access city NHS dental services are enabled to do so and to this end the PCT has been running radio adverts and events at Brighton station to publicise local dental services.

77.5    Ms Quigley promised to provide the committee with additional information setting out the range of dental services provided by the NHS. She also agreed to supply a map showing the location of city dental practices, so that members could see how the location of practices mapped against areas of deprivation.

77.6    RESOLVED – That members will require an update report on dental services in six months time.