Staffordshire has made progress in improving oral health and access to dental services in areas with the lowest provision.
Since a report highlighted difficulties in accessing care in parts of Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent, more than 3,000 people have been referred to NHS dentists under a scheme launched by the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Laura Bird, the ICB’s primary care programme lead, told Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s Health Integration and Wellbeing Committee that the results were “incredibly positive.” She said dental activity across the county has increased over the past year after practices received higher payments.
The scheme now delivers an additional 16,190 urgent dental appointments annually. A public awareness campaign has also been launched to encourage patients to seek care.
Councillor Daniela Santoro noted the changes in her Hartshill Park ward, saying two local practices are actively recruiting NHS patients—something she hadn’t seen in a decade.
Councillor Majid Khan described the improvements as “long overdue,” particularly in deprived areas where childhood tooth decay remains a concern. He welcomed the changes, emphasizing that the community will now have better access to essential dental services.