Agenda item

The Public Health Programme Officer and representatives from the Integrated Care Board presented the report, providing an overview of oral health outcomes, preventative programmes and access to NHS dentistry across Leicester.

·       It was noted that levels of tooth decay amongst children had continued to improve since 2012, when Leicester had some of the poorest outcomes nationally. Whilst this represented significant progress, rates remained considerably higher than the England average, with 35.6% of 5-year-old children showing signs of decay, missing or filled teeth. Surveys undertaken every 2 years continued to inform targeted preventative work, although increasing numbers of parents not returning consent forms had reduced participation.

·       Leicester continued to have one of the highest rates of oral cancer mortality in England. Work was ongoing to identify risk factors, improve awareness and target preventative support within communities. It was also noted that water fluoridation could make a significant contribution to preventing dental decay and a request had been submitted to Government to consider fluoridation.

·       A range of preventative initiatives continued across the city, including supervised toothbrushing programmes in nurseries, childminders, pre-schools and primary schools, training for education staff, work with voluntary organisations, Family Hubs, libraries and community groups, distribution of oral health resources and targeted engagement with communities experiencing the greatest inequalities. Although participation had reduced following the Covid-19 pandemic, work was continuing to increase uptake, particularly within the most deprived communities. Additional funding, national support and donations of resources had enabled the programme to expand further.

·       An update was also provided on access to NHS dentistry. Whilst nationally NHS dental funding was only sufficient to cover around half of the population, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland had achieved 94% delivery of Units of Dental Activity during the previous financial year and were on course to improve further. Additional NHS dental activity continued to be reinvested within Leicester alongside initiatives to increase capacity, improve access for vulnerable groups, reduce waiting times and support Community Dental Services.

In response to questions and comments from Members, the following was noted:

·       Commissioning decisions for NHS dental provision were based on population need and health inequalities, with additional capacity directed towards the areas experiencing the greatest need.

·       Further work would be undertaken to explore whether children experiencing tooth decay had previously accessed NHS dental services.

·       Tooth extraction data should be interpreted with caution, as it did not always distinguish between extractions resulting from tooth decay and those carried out for other reasons.

·       Ward level information on supervised toothbrushing programmes could be shared with Members.

·       The suggestion that Ward Councillors and community health champions help promote oral health initiatives within local communities was welcomed.

·       Engagement with older children and teenagers remained challenging due to limited data beyond the age of 5. Work continued with schools and young people to develop messages that better promoted good oral health.

·       Recruitment of NHS dentists remained a national challenge, although initiatives such as the Golden Hello scheme were helping to attract dentists back into NHS practice.

Agreed:

1.      The presentation be noted.

2.      Ward level information on supervised toothbrushing programmes be shared with Members.