The Department of Health today announced a multi-million boost for NHS dentists in Northamptonshire.
An extra £2.75m of funding will go to NHS dentists in Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes, part of an overall £30m injection of cash nationwide.
The cash will allow an extra 26,000 new NHS patients to be seen and treated by April 2014 and dramatically reduce the list of patients – mostly children - waiting for NHS orthodontic treatment.
Diane Fenton, head of dentistry and optometry at NHS Milton Keynes & Northamptonshire, said: “Last year we were allocated an extra £1,004,000 by the Department of Heath for additional activity and this attracted almost 12,000 new patients to NHS dental practices who have since been treated.
“We want to make sure that this progress continues and that dentists give the highest standards of care as well as treating more patients. This will allow more patients to see an NHS dentist, get their oral health checked and bring their beaming smile – and confidence back. That’s why we have invested this extra funding. Better oral health is a key priority.”
Dental surgeries have already been applying to the local NHS to access the extra funds which will allow them to take on new patients and fund extra clinics.
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