by Rebecca Hannant
Health providers in the region have said they are gearing up to ensure that no child will go without dental treatment, as extra provisions have brought down the NHS patient waiting list for adults in Withernsea.
In recent years, people have raised regular concerns about the lack of dental provisions in Withernsea and surrounding areas, with wait times for NHS patients reaching up to 18 months. Meanwhile, many say that Withernsea Community Hospital is underused, despite having the space to offer a range of services.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said he visited the hospital last year and was also left feeling disappointed by how underused it was.
He said constituents across the region had been contacting him regularly about the lack of dental services, which have left people without treatment, causing them to suffer even worse problems.
Mr Stuart said: “I came here last year, and, having looked around, I was disappointed how under-utilised the hospital was. One of the things that came up was dentistry, which is raised with me by constituents all the time, as it was only being provided three days a week.
“So, I wrote to Simon Cox [NHS place director, East Riding of Yorkshire], and I asked if it could be moved to five.”
Following the conversation, the dental practice at the hospital, which is run by City Health Care Partnership (CHCP), says it has managed to work with dental associates to provide an extra day’s service. This has allowed them to take an extra 400 patients off the waiting list, bringing it down to five months.
CHCP operations manager Nicki Fussey said: “We have managed to get another day with our dental associates. They were only doing three days, now they are doing four.
“That’s been a massive improvement and has allowed us to take 400 patients off the waiting list, so now that’s gone from 18 months to just about five months.”
The extra provisions mean that children have been prioritised and taken off the waiting list, so any child with a dental need can be seen more quickly. Health managers say they are continuing to look for other ways to offer more treatments in the future.
Adults with a dental emergency can also ring the practice at 8.30am for emergency appointments. The practice is also seeking to prevent dental problems in the first place by going into primary schools to provide fluoride treatment twice a year. The treatment involves taking a gel and rubbing it on teeth to help prevent decay. Anyone with any further needs will be given advice and referred to the dentist for an appointment.
Mr Stuart said he would push schools in the region to take up the offer.
South East Holderness ward councillors Lyn Healing and Sean McMaster said: “It’s incredibly encouraging to hear that the hospital’s dental service has expanded its operations to four days a week, reducing waiting times significantly.
“Most notably, there are no children on the waiting list – a testament to the dedication of the team in ensuring children receive prompt care when facing dental issues. It’s equally inspiring that the dental service is looking to partner with all schools to promote awareness of the support available and encourage preventative treatments. This proactive approach ensures healthier smiles and brighter futures for our young people.”
Cllr Jon Dimberline said: “It’s great to see that the services are being increased because I know that there’s a big demand for NHS dental surgery around here. Dentistry is a very important thing. When it goes wrong and somebody can’t get to a dentist, it can lead to all kinds of problems and can be very painful. Well done to those involved in making this happen.”
Anyone wishing to register a child or access treatment can call 01964 614420 for more information.
