The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is looking at ways to improve dental access and oral health across the region.

By launching its dental access and oral health improvement programme, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) wants to help those with greatest need access NHS dentistry. It also hopes to improve public understanding of NHS dental services and how to best look after their oral health.

The programme will focus on where investment should be prioritised, improving patient pathways, communications to the public and to staff, supporting retention and recruitment of the dental workforce and contract management.

Dentist Clare Granger, a senior clinical fellow for the ICB, said: “We know that access to NHS dental services is a big issue at the moment and we receive a lot of comments from local people who are struggling to access an NHS dentist.

“The NHS only receives funding for up to 60 per cent of the population to receive NHS dentistry, however the decline in oral health since the COVID-19 pandemic means the level of funding received in reality is currently only sufficient for around 50 per cent of the population to be able to access routine NHS dental care. It is therefore not possible for everyone in the UK to receive NHS dental treatment.

“We hope that by working together with dental teams across Lancashire and South Cumbria we can support people who are most in need to access NHS dentistry and also improve people’s knowledge, both of services and of how best to look after their own oral health at home.”

One of the ways the ICB has supported an improvement in access to dental services is by guaranteeing funding for the Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline. This service – established to support people who do not have access to a regular NHS dentist – provides advice, support and an urgent appointment where required and is available to all by calling 0300 1234010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.

If you need to access a dentist in an emergency or out of normal hours, use NHS111 by visiting 111.nhs.uk or call 111. Urgent dental treatment is charged at £26.80 (unless you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment).

You should only go to A&E if your dental problem is an emergency and you are suffering from a large swelling, heavy and uncontrolled bleeding or have injuries to the face, mouth or teeth.

In addition, a new public campaign called ‘The A to Z of oral hygiene’ will be launched, offering some crucial pieces of advice to people living across Lancashire and South Cumbria on how they can look after their own teeth, minimising the need to seek the help of a dental professional.

Clare added: “We are very excited about the dental access and oral health improvement programme and look forward to working with colleagues across Lancashire and South Cumbria to help improve access to dental services for people across the region.”

The ICB is also planning an extensive public campaign to promote oral health and to support people to understand how they can help themselves by brushing their teeth properly and regularly and avoiding sugary and acidic foods.

For more details on oral health, visit www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/dentistry