£6.8million to help tackle the lack of dentist appointments
The news comes after we, and many other Healthwatches around the country, have repeatedly highlighted the difficulties you, and your family, are facing to get an NHS dental appointment
The NHS is giving £6.8 million to the South East which will be used to increase the number of appointments available between now and the end of March. Dentists will be paid extra so that they can offer extra appointments at weekends, early mornings and evenings.
Children, people with learning disabilities, autism, or severe mental health problems, will be prioritised.
People call us every day to seek help to get a dentist appointment. They're often desperate, confused and in pain. That's why today's announcement will be a welcome relief to many families, particularly those who are trying to get appointments for their children.
However, the money will only fund extra appointment slots from now until the end of March, so it's not a long term solution. We will continue to share your stories and raise your concerns in a bid to find a lasting fix for our dental issues.
