An NHS Dentist 4 all - Improving Dental Services across Lincolnshire

Since as far back as 2015, due to the number of poor experiences shared with us by residents, Healthwatch Lincolnshire has been raising concerns about the decline in access to NHS Dentists in our county.  During this time, we have consistently worked closely to raise our concerns with NHS England Midlands Dental Commissioning Team, media, Healthwatch England, as well as with local and regional dental networks.

Whilst we all recognise many of the problems with dental services in Lincolnshire, such as commissioning, workforce and our counties geography.  What we see is little or no improvements being actioned.  For example, in our county we have seen increasing numbers of dental practices making the decision to ‘hand-back’ NHS contracts and move to being fully private.

Healthwatch Lincolnshire’s ‘An NHS Dentist 4 all - Improving Dental Services across Lincolnshire’ campaign will run from 1 October 2022 until 31 March 2023.  During this time, we will be raising our concerns both locally and nationally so we need all the help we can to get to bring to the attention of as many people as possible, the need for more NHS Dentists in Lincolnshire.

How you can make a difference

• Pledge Your Support and sign up here: https://www.healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk/sign-nhs-dentist-4-all-improving-dental-services-across-lincolnshire
• Downloadable content to share with the public throughout the campaign
• Encourage local people to have their say through Healthwatch Lincolnshire
• Stay up to date with dental improvements across the county
• Read the experiences of patient’s carers and service users
• Share this with colleagues, partners, constituents, and other interested parties