Agenda item

Members considered a report that provided an overview of two areas of work that were put in place in response to varying levels of access to dental care services in Stockton-on-Tees and the wider Tees Valley:

• An evaluation into the barriers and facilitators of accessing dental services for children in our care across Stockton-on-Tees carried out by the NHS England dental public health team in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Harrogate District Foundation Trust (HDFT) Children in Care Service.

• A Tees Valley dental access referral pathway pilot to increase access to dental services for children in our care.

Key points and discussion:-

-       The introduction of a dental referral pathway had facilitated access to dental services for children and young people in care and contributed to increased access to dental services.

-       Provisional data indicated that the proportion of children not recorded as accessing a dental check for Stockton-on-Tees had reduced from 57% in 2021/22 to 39% in 2023/24

-       Evaluation of barriers and facilitators to dental services for children and young people in care in Stockton-on-Tees had highlighted that while the majority of children and young people accessed good dental health care, barriers to dental health care include dental anxiety, lack of knowledge of previous dental service experiences and lack of continuity of care.

-       Members recognised that the cost of dental plans to care leavers would be prohibitive and this needed consideration.

-       Encouraging good dental health and providing preventative interventions, at an early age, would stand people in good stead ahead of them potentially needing to fund their own treatment

-       The pathway was funded by the ICB via practices that were commissioned to provide services to vulnerable groups.  There was no additional funding necessary, which meant the pilot was sustainable.

-       It was noted that when children came into care their initial health assessment included a dental assessment and they were guaranteed a referral and care, via the pathway.

-       Public Health had, since 2008, provided a universal offer of tooth brushes, toothpaste and instruction to primary schools. Teeth brushing packs were provided to some children, to use during school holidays.

-       It was agreed that an update would be provided in 12 months.

RESOLVED that the Board endorse

·         The continued commissioning of the Tees Valley dental access referral pathway and to extend the referral pathway to include other professional groups (e.g. health visitors and public health nurses).

·         NHS England dental public health team to continue work with all dental practices to support prioritised access for children and young people in care.

·         The development of an oral health passport for children and young people in care to support continuity of care and carer’s knowledge of their child’s dental care history.

·         Child in Care and 0-19 services providing information on entitlements to free NHS dental treatment to young people aged over 16 years to encourage them to get dentally fit before changes to entitlements take place.

·         Child in Care and 0-19 services providing information to carers about referral-based specialist paediatric services that provide care to extremely anxious children.