NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent has approved new contracts for NHS dental services in Cliftonville and Broadstairs. This is part of a £4.5 million investment in dentistry in eastern and coastal Kent.
In making the announcement following the NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Board meeting held in Margate, Chief Executive Ann Sutton said: “Dental provision is a real issue for people so I am delighted this extra money will make a significant improvement in dental health services in Thanet.”
Dentapol Ltd has been awarded the £675,000 contract which will start in December. The surgery at Northdown Road, Cliftonville, will employ four full-time dentists and one part-time.
At Broadstairs the contract for £340,000 was also awarded to Dentapol Ltd and will again start in December. This investment will provide an additional two dentists in High Street, Broadstairs.
Both surgeries will be open from 8am to 5pm on Monday and Tuesday, 10am to 8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Fridays and 9am to noon on Saturdays.
Another improvement for people trying to locate a NHS dentist is the opening of a dedicated dental helpdesk which went live on 2 November.
The helpline is also able to provide non clinical advice such as:
- Helping patients, who currently don’t have a dentist, get emergency dental treatment
- Explain the NHS charges and the treatment included in each price band
- Provide information on how to access specialist dental services such as orthodontics and domiciliary dental care
People needing NHS dental treatment or a check-up can call the number free on 0808 238 9797 (mobile networks may charge the caller) or you can text 0794 309 1958 for a call back. The helpline is open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Bill Millar, Head of Primary and Community Care Commissioning, said: “Patients have been telling us they can’t find an NHS dentist so we have invested £4.5million in dentistry in eastern and coastal Kent, including Cliftonville and Broadstairs.
“This is a major investment aimed at making sure residents have access to NHS dental treatment in areas of greatest need and I am delighted that this extra money will make a significant improvement in dental health services.”
19 November
