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Consultation on a new oral health promotion strategy


In Autumn 2022, we undertook work to develop a new oral health promotion strategy for County Durham which will shape plans to improve our resident's oral health for the next five years. We wanted to hear your views on what was being proposed.

What's the latest?

Thank you to all those who took part in the consultation. Overall, the feedback was very positive, with the online survey results identifying a positive response to the proposed strategy. 87% of respondents were in general agreement with it overall, and 98% of respondents agreed with the strategic priorities. It has been updated to reflect your feedback and a steering group will further develop the key actions into a strategy delivery plan.

The Health and Wellbeing Board agreed the implementation of the new strategy at their meeting in March 2023. Read the meeting report (Agenda item 9) which includes more detail of feedback received during the consultation. You can find the new strategy on our oral health web page.

Background

We are required to create an oral health promotion programme which is appropriate for County Durham.

The current strategy needed updating and we wanted your views on the contents of a new one which will run for five years until 2028.

The strategy

Many factors affect a person's ability to care for their oral health including poverty, isolation, poor mobility and physical or mental ill health. This strategy looks at ways we can help people by giving everybody the opportunity to access the information and support they need to improve their oral health. 

The strategy outlines a number of initiatives which support better oral health, such as improved advice for parents, oral health training for frontline staff and targeted tooth brushing schemes in nurseries and early years settings.

Dental services

Local NHS dental practices, or community-based specialist dental services are commissioned directly by NHS England and not by us. We are aware that some patients are currently experiencing difficulties accessing these dental services. This is due to the high demand for dental care following Covid-19 restrictions, and dental workforce recruitment and retention challenges. NHS England are working with dentists to explore opportunities to increase access as quickly as possible. 

While dental check-ups are recommended to maintain good oral health, not everyone needs to see a dentist every six months. The dentist will recommend how often you should visit. 

As patients are not required to register with a dentist in the same way they are with a GP, patients can contact any NHS dental practice to access care. If you are having problems please see NHS: how to find an NHS dentist but be aware that dental practices are still prioritising patients based on need and urgency.

Have your say

The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Monday 9 January 2023.



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