Summit outlines progress on dentistry and oral health
Children and people who are most at risk of tooth decay are getting more support to have a healthy smile, thanks to a plan underway in Derby and Derbyshire.
A three-year public health led strategy for dentistry and oral health is making a positive difference, delegates to a county-wide “summit” were told last month.
People who work in dentistry and oral health promotion held their six-monthly update on system’s 2025-28 strategy.
They were told:
- supervised toothbrushing schemes for the most deprived communities have been expanded – reaching up to 8,300 children aged three to five
- new oral health programmes are underway in 25 additional care homes
- additional support and training are in place for professionals who work with looked after children and children who have special educational needs and disabilities
- dentists are being invited to bid for contracts that allow them to provide 10% additional work beyond their normal contract
- contracts are in place for dentists to deliver most of the 16,298 urgent appointments required by government for 2025/26
- the number of “units of dental activity” completed continues to rise in 2025/26. This follows an increase of 4.1% 1.333m to 1.359m “units” in 2024/25, compared to 2023/24. (Units measure dental work such as checks, fillings and crowns)
During this 2025/26 year dental and oral health teams are focusing on:
- working with special educational settings to offer free sight and dental checks
- procuring new contracts for minor oral surgery, dental care in people’s homes and for translation and interpretation services, including British Sign Language
- continue to improve access to general and urgent dental care
Delegates at the summit were also told about five priorities in the Derby and Derbyshire oral health strategy.
- improving access, by setting a minimum standard at a local level and increasing access to services where it is needed
- improving prevention activity, by increasing the reach of activity such as supervised brushing, improving the food environment and advocating for fluoridation of water
- supporting the dental workforce, and focusing on initiatives to recruit and retain dental staff
- working with healthcare colleagues to better integrate oral health and general health, through shared prioritisation, planning and action
- working with the public and priority communities to co-design prevention initiatives and services
Derby and Derbyshire is working to integrate oral health and dentistry into its development of neighbourhood healthcare – where teams of specialists work together to support individuals and communities with the range of issues that affect their health.
These may include medical issues, but also housing, job security, finances, mental health – and poor oral health.
Clive Newman, director of primary care for NHS Derby and Derbyshire, said: “It was great to see so many people who work in dentistry and oral health across our system come together at the recent dental summit.
“This was our second event like this and they have really helped in energising and focusing everyone to work together to tackle the major difficulties we know we have with dentistry nationally and in our county.
“We know there are significant challenges with access, workforce, amount of decay and health inequalities.
“However, through our joint efforts we are making progress, and we are making the most of the opportunities we have.
“These include working collaborative with oral health prevention teams, Healthwatch, public health, the Local Dental Network and Local Dental Committee.”