NHS trialling improved access to public dental service
THERE is “light at the end of the tunnel” for NHS-run dental care in Shetland as moves are made to get the service back to how it was pre-Covid pandemic.
Since the end of January, NHS Shetland has been trialling a move away from a primarily emergency-based dentistry model towards the gradual reintroduction of comprehensive, routine dental care for all patients.
NHS Shetland said the aim of this phased approach is to improve access and ensure patients receive more complete and preventative care.
Further to this, patients will increasingly be offered full dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required, rather than accessing NHS services only in urgent situations.
A spokesperson said “while this is still in the trial phase, early progress is encouraging”.
The transition has been called a “gradual change”.
NHS Shetland said although “small but meaningful improvements” are already being made, it will take time to fully embed the system, particularly as teams work through existing waiting lists built up over recent years.
An initial group of patients have been contacted and invited to attend for a full examination. These patients have been identified according to their need.
Whilst it will take time to reach all patients, once invited for an appointment, a full course of care will be provided.
Following the initial period, it is anticipated that most adult patients will then be recalled approximately every 24 months, unless there is a clinical reason for earlier review.
Findings from the six-month trial are currently being assessed, and further information about what this will mean for patients will be shared in the coming months.
NHS Shetland’s director of dentistry Antony Visocchi said: “While there have been positive improvements in our dental workforce, with further recruitment planned later this year, we recognise that progress against our wider oral health strategy has not moved as quickly as we had hoped due to factors outwith our control.
“This improved approach is a practical step in the right direction. It allows us to begin improving access for our community while building a more sustainable model of care for the future.
“We have continued to invest in our team, including supporting professional development, such as two dental nurses recently qualifying as orthodontic therapists after completing a two-year training programme.
“Importantly, this transition offers light at the end of the tunnel for both patients and staff. It gives our teams the ability to focus on high-quality, preventative dentistry, while ensuring patients receive the comprehensive care they deserve.”
During the next six months, the service will continue working through the list of registered patients and addressing the current backlog.
NHS Shetland said this will take time, and appointments will be prioritised based on clinical need.
The health board thanked patients for their “continued patience” as these improvements are put in place.
While the service is moving back towards planned care, emergency dental treatment remains a priority.
Anyone experiencing an urgent dental issue will continue to be seen and should contact the service as usual for advice and support.
Visocchi added: “We are pleased to be returning to a more comprehensive model of care for our community.
“This is an important investment in the long-term oral health of the Shetland community.
“We recognise that it will take time to reach all patients, but when you are invited for an appointment, you will receive the full course of care you need, followed by a planned recall.
“We will continue to provide updates in the months ahead as the programme develops.
“I wish to extend a sincere thank you to our patients for their understanding and support as we continue to make steady progress.”
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