More booking in to see Bolton’s dentists (From This Is Lancashire)

More booking in to see Bolton’s dentists

9:10am Friday 6th November 2009 in

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DENTAL access has improved in Bolton, with 60 per cent of residents having an appointment in the past two years.

This is six per cent above the national average and comes after NHS Bolton made the issue a priority for the town.

The latest figures from the NHS Information Centre show that between April 1 and June 30 this year, 60 per cent of residents — more than 158,000 people — were recorded as having seen a dentist within the previous 24 months.

And work is ongoing to make further improvements.

The primary care trust, which is responsible for dentistry as well as GPs and other services, is pleased with the results.

A spokesman said: “Over the past few years, NHS Bolton has prioritised improving access to NHS dentists because we knew how important this issue was to local people.

“It is good to see those efforts being reflected in the national statistics.”

Three new surgeries have opened in areas where they were needed most, two in Deane last year and in Horwich this year. They will take on 18,700 patients over three years.

Existing services have also been looked at, with practices funded to see more people for routine regular treatment. Between April and September this year, 3,417 people who contacted the PCT were put in touch with a surgery prepared to take them as a regular patient as a result. More places will become available during the year.

Other action taken includes expanding emergency dental care, with a system of extra appointments available at practices to provide urgent treatment for people without a regular dentist.

The primary care trust is also setting up a telephone helpline service for people needing treatment or wanting a regular dentist.