Shortages impacting dental health in county

NHS bosses have admitted it is proving difficult to fill gaps in dentistry provision in rural parts of Northumberland.

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Parts of the county have previously been labelled “dental deserts” due to a lack of services.

Pauline Fletcher, the strategic head of dental contracting for the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said there were challenges around recruitment and retention of experienced staff, as well as ongoing issues from the Covid pandemic.

The ICB has been forced to increase the minimum rate paid to practices to deliver services and even offer loyalty payments in a bid to retain existing dentists.