A new community-based dental unit has opened at Thistlemoor Medical Centre to deliver preventive and accessible dental services directly within a trusted primary care setting.
The Thistlemoor Smiles Dental Unit, which opened on December 8, is designed to reduce social, cultural and linguistic barriers that often prevent early and routine dental care. It will target groups with historically poor access, including children at high risk of decay, newly arrived communities and people with long-term health conditions linked to oral health.
Dr Neil Modha, GP partner at Thistlemoor Medical Centre, said the unit represents “a new way of thinking about healthcare.” He added that integrating medical and dental teams will help identify at-risk patients earlier, intervene sooner and support families who might otherwise be overlooked.
Using population health insights, the team will identify patients through Thistlemoor’s population health management (PHM) approach and initially invite those most in need. The service intends to expand access over time and to act as a national model for integrated care.
Dr Raja Akhtar will lead the service as Clinical Lead for Dental Services. The unit’s wider team includes dental hygienists and dental therapists who will provide preventive treatments, periodontal care, oral health education and minimally invasive procedures tailored to patients’ needs.
Pam Green, Neighbourhood Director for Place and Partnerships at Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, said the initiative improves local access and tackles health inequalities by bringing dental care into the community.
Local politicians welcomed the launch. Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, praised the move as a community-driven investment that promotes prevention, inclusion and equity. Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said the unit helps address urgent local dental capacity needs and congratulated the team for delivering the vision.
Co-locating dental services with primary care aims to strengthen connections between medical and dental teams and build a more integrated approach to community health.
