Agenda item

(To receive a report from the NHS Midlands Primary Care Team and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), which provides the Committee with an update on NHS dental services in the county.  Carole Pitcher, Senior Commissioning Manager, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICB working on behalf of the Five Integrated Care Boards in the East Midlands and Sandra Williamson, Director of Health Inequalities and Regional Collaboration, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, will be in attendance for this item)

Consideration was given to a report from NHS East Midlands Primary Care Team and NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, which provided the Committee with an update on NHS dental services, covering the following areas: the national NHS dental contract; where dental services were located, including special dentistry and intermediate minor surgery; charges for NHS dental services; access to dental services in Lincolnshire; private dentistry; commissioning and procurement plans; and collaborative working.

The Chairman invited the following representatives to present the item, to the Committee: Sandra Williamson, Director of Health Inequalities and Regional Collaboration, NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, Carole Pitcher, Senior Commissioning Manager, for the five integrated care boards in the East Midlands and Kenny Hume, Chair of the Lincolnshire Local Dental Committee.

During consideration thereon, some the following comments were noted:

·       Some concern was expressed to the ongoing lack of dentist provision in Lincolnshire;

·       Steps being taken to improve access to dentistry across the east coast, South Holland, North Kesteven and Boston.  Reassurance was given there was a plan and that this was covered in the Lincolnshire Dental Strategy. It was noted that the strategy had developed four key pillars: developing the dental workforce; improving access to dental services; increasing focus on prevention and strengthening the integration of oral health into wider health care services. The Committee was advised that the House of Commons Select Committee had identified the backlog of applications for the Overseas Registration Exam, and that resolving this would provide a short-term increase to the number of dentists working in the NHS, which would then provide more appointments, for patients to access much needed services.  Some members felt that intense overseas recruitment could result in health care in other countries suffering as a result.  The Committee noted that in some parts of south India there were too many dentists and that recruitment from this area would help with the shortages experienced in Lincolnshire;

·       Reference was also made for contracts to be reformed, not only to address the access crisis, but to ensure a more sustainable system was put in place going forward;   

·       Clarification was also sought regarding the potential closure of both Boston and Sleaford’s Bupa clinics.  Reassurance was given that dialogue was on going with new owners for both clinics;

·       How to encourage dentists to stay NHS service providers.  The Committee was advised that dentists were small businesses, operating with a combination of NHS and private patients.  It was highlighted that the private side of most dental practices subsidised the NHS side, and that without private patients, most dental practices would not stay in business;

·       The Committee noted that dental charges were set by the Treasury;

·       The potential development of a Dental School in Lincolnshire.  It was highlighted that work was in progress in this regard and talks were in progress with Suffolk concerning their working template.  It was hoped that being able to provide professional training and support would help encourage newly qualified dentists to stay in Lincolnshire.  The Committee noted that at present there was no defined date for this happening, but reassurance was given that work was ongoing in this regard. It was noted further that the concept was to have a hub and spoke arrangement with the main part being situated in Lincoln, with spokes then positioned through the county.  The Committee were supportive of this initiative; 

Note: Councillor M Geaney (South Holland District Council) joined the meeting at 10:30.am.

·       Confirmation was given that there was a refugee project for dentistry; but this was being stifled by regulations and restrictions;

·       Whether funding incentives for training to become a dentist would attract more potential candidates into dentistry.  The Committee noted that promotion of dentistry in schools’ talent academies was already being undertaken;

·       That more preventative work was needed, especially with younger children to ensure good oral health.  The Committee noted that toothbrush packs were available from the Oral Health Alliance; 

·       Whether more should be done regarding the role of dentist practices, as unlike General Medical Practice, there was no system of patient registration with a dental practice, patients were free to attend any dental practice, regardless of where they lived. Confirmation was given that communication messages were issued out to the general public;

·       The Committee noted that extended out of hour provision would be looked at when services were re-commissioned in the South Kesteven District Council area; and

·       Confirmation was given that if dentists accepted the offer of a golden hello for recruitment purposes, they would have to offer NHS provision for five years.

RESOLVED

1.      That the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board and the East Midlands NHS Dental Commissioning Team be thanked for their comprehensive report.

2.      That a further report be requested in early 2024 on:

(a)    Any further developments on the commissioning of the NHS dental services in the East Lindsey area;

(b)   The developments of the implementation plan for the four pillars of the Lincolnshire Dental Strategy.

3.     That support be given from the Committee to the concept of a Dental School in Lincolnshire; and that a letter be written to local MP’s requesting their supporting in moving this forward.