Multi-million deal set to halt dental backlog

NHS North Yorkshire and York has announced that it has agreed a multi-million pound investment in dental and orthodontic care across the county, resulting in an additional 14,500 NHS dental places being made available in five main areas, including York, Selby, Ryedale, Knaresborough and Craven.

The investment will also result in access to orthodontics for an extra 3,215 patients.

It is hoped the announcement will help significantly reduce waiting lists, particularly across York and Selby, where around 10,000 people are still currently seeking dental care.

Lorraine Naylor, assistant director of primary care services at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “We are delighted to announce this much needed investment in NHS dental services across our area.

“The extra capacity means that current waiting lists, particularly in the York and Selby area, will be vastly reduced and we anticipate there will be additional places available for those not already on the waiting list.

“If you are already registered on our dental database you don’t need to do anything – we will be in touch to offer you a place.

“However, if you are not, now is a great time to register to ensure get a place as quickly as possible.”

A lack of NHS dental provision across the region has been a major concern for a number of years, but nearly £6m has been spent on NHS dental services in North Yorkshire since 2008.

People wishing to register for a place can call free on 0300 303 8010 or visit the website at www.northyorkshireandyork.nhs.uk.