James met with the NHS team responsible for commissioning dental services in North West Norfolk this week to review the latest situation regarding access to dental services.
Improving access to NHS dentistry in West Norfolk has been one of issues that James has prioritised. Through working with the NHS, two contracts were successfully awarded earlier this year leading to the opening of the Smile Dentalcare practice in the High Street in Lynn and during the meeting the following updates were provided:
- There was strong demand when the practice opened in July and since then.
- More than 1000 patient appointments have been booked, averaging around 500 a month, in this initial phase as they build up capacity.
- Due to the high demand I raised constituents' frustration at not being able to get appointments.
- However, while 70 per cent of booked appointments were delivered, there have been a high number of missed appointments which could have been taken by other patients.
- By improving attendance at appointments, or cancelling them if the slot no longer works, more people will be able to get treatment
- The service is increasing between now and the end of the year and the practice expects more capacity to be available from the start of 2023.
James is in regular contact with the local NHS Commissioning Team who are looking at how they can expand and invest more into dental access, he is encouraging more use of dental therapists and hygienists to deliver treatment, as well as working with other MPs on potential dentistry training options in Norfolk.
