New NHS Dental services coming into Lincolnshire

The recent announcement from NHS England that new NHS dental services for patients requiring routine dental treatment in Boston and Louth, as well as a new 365 day 8 to 8 service in Spalding for patients requiring both urgent care and routine appointments are being prepared ready for opening in March 2020 is really good news for the thousands of people currently needing NHS Dental treatment in Lincolnshire.  However, Healthwatch Lincolnshire is still concerned that the NHS was unable to secure contracts for an additional service in Spalding, as well as two further services in Mablethorpe and Skegness/Spilsby.

Having recently met with the NHS team responsible for NHS Dental Services in the county, we know they are working hard to find companies prepared to take on these 3 new services but a severe shortage of NHS Dentists is one of the major factors why the NHS is having difficulties in awarding the contracts.  To start to address the problem of lack of NHS Dentists, we were really pleased to hear there is a Lincolnshire initiative to invite and encourage more young people to consider a career in dentistry, with one recruitment drive already happening this month. 

During our meeting with the NHS, we also heard about their plans to move more orthodontic services for young people across Lincolnshire.  Currently the service is concentrated in Lincoln meaning all patients and their families have to travel significant distances for their orthodontic treatment.  Under the new plans orthodontic services will now be available in areas such as Gainsborough, Boston, Spalding, Grantham, Sleaford and Horncastle or Louth as well as Lincoln City.  This change means there could well be less disruption to children and their families needing orthodontic treatment for things like school.  Healthwatch Lincolnshire feels this also offers a more equally accessible service for all our younger residents.