Healthwatch Cornwall Responds to ICB’s Commitment to Dental Access Improvement
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly has published their response here.
Healthwatch Cornwall welcomes NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board’s (ICB) dedication to shaping a new Dental Strategy that prioritises local insights into the dental access challenges faced by our community. Our recent report, grounded in the voices of over 1,000 residents and nearly 100 local dental practices, underscored the pressing need for action and identified core issues such as insufficient NHS dental services, structural funding challenges, and barriers to dental access for vulnerable groups.
We are encouraged to see that our findings will inform the ICB’s approach to developing and delivering more accessible, sustainable dental care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The proposed measures, including the commissioning of additional urgent care appointments, the pilot programs targeting children and vulnerable groups, and initiatives like the Smiles at Sea and Big Brush Club, represent meaningful steps forward.
Debbie Gilbert, CEO of Healthwatch Cornwall, said, “The ICB’s response to the findings in our report demonstrates a commitment to listening and acting on behalf of Cornwall’s residents. We look forward to ongoing collaboration with the ICB to ensure these strategies not only address immediate dental access needs but also lay the groundwork for lasting improvements. Through collective action and sustained engagement, we can work toward a future where dental care is accessible to all who need it.”
The ICB’s acknowledgment of the urgency of these issues and its intention to involve the local community in shaping these solutions highlight a positive direction forward. We are hopeful that this strategy will lead to transformative changes in Cornwall’s dental health landscape.
