Home visit waiting lists for specialist dental services in mid and south Essex have reduced by almost 90% thanks to the roll out of new dental services in care homes.
Before the changes, some patients were waiting up to a year to be seen by community dental teams. Now, most are seen within four weeks.
The improvement follows the roll out of routine and urgent dental care services in all 285 care homes in mid and south Essex.
The new NHS Mid and South Essex service has reduced the number of care home referrals to specialist dental teams by two-thirds, freeing up appointments for others with complex needs. These include people with learning disabilities, autism, or anxiety related conditions who are unable to be treated at their local dentist.
As a result of these changes, Community Dental Services CIC (CDS CIC), which provides specialist dental care in clinics and at home, can now see these patients much more quickly.
CDS CIC offers tailored support not typically available in high street practices — from home visits and accessible dental chairs to longer appointments, sensory-friendly environments, and specialist sedation.
Thanks to changes in how we deliver dental care, people who need specialist support are being seen much more quickly. By treating care home residents where they live, we’ve freed up appointments and cut long waits for others who need extra help with their dental care.
The clinical impact of the care home initiative has been fantastic in ensuring we can focus our Special Dental Care Services on the cohort of patients who need specialised treatment, including patients that are homebound.
Glen Taylor, Chief Operating Officer – East for Community Dental Services CIC
As well as improving access for other patients with complex needs, the care home dental initiative reflects a broader shift towards preventative and community-based care.
Integrated dental care in care homes is having wide-reaching impacts across mid and south Essex. It’s hoped that the success of the initiative will now serve as a model for broader adoption across the country.
Find out more about Essex Community Dental Services