Two new NHS dental contracts worth over £6 million have been awarded in Bridlington, promising to double the town's current dental capacity and tackle its reputation as a 'dental desert'.
NHS dental capacity in Bridlington is set to double following the announcement of a major new investment in the town's healthcare services.
The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board has officially awarded two new NHS dental contracts for Bridlington.
Together, these five-year contracts represent a significant financial investment of more than £6 million into local dental provision.
The contracts have been awarded to Whitecross Dental Care Ltd and Genix Healthcare Ltd, who will now establish and run the new services for the local community.
Whitecross Dental Care Ltd currently trades under the name Mydentist, which operates Bridlington’s only existing NHS dental practice located on Quay Road. The newly awarded contract will provide additional NHS dental capacity for the town, which is planned to be delivered alongside their currently existing services.
Meanwhile, Genix Healthcare Ltd is set to deliver their new dental services from a location within Bridlington Town Centre.
The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board's Dental and Optometry lead, Debbie Leadbetter, said:
"We know how difficult it has been for people in Bridlington to access NHS dental care, and we are very aware of the town’s reputation as a ‘dental desert’.
This investment is a real game changer. It creates the opportunity to turn that situation around and means that many more people should be able to access the NHS dental care they need."
The Integrated Care Board has confirmed that they are continuing to work closely with both of the dental providers on mobilisation plans for the new services.
Health officials have stated that further details regarding the opening of the practices will be announced in due course. In the meantime, patients are being asked to refrain from contacting the dental practices until official patient sign-up processes have been fully established.
The East Riding Place Director for the Integrated Care Board, Simon Cox, said:
"This is very welcome news for Bridlington. Doubling NHS dental capacity is a significant step forward, and we will continue to work closely with providers, partners and local representatives to make sure residents are kept informed as these services are brought forward."
Within the NHS, dental contracts are commissioned using a system called units of dental activity, which are designed to reflect the amount and the overall complexity of the NHS dental care being delivered, rather than simply counting a fixed number of registered patients.
As an example of how the system works, a simple dental check-up equates to one unit of dental activity. Conversely, more complex dental treatments, such as the fitting of crowns or bridges, equate to twelve units of dental activity.
Health officials have confirmed that each of the two new contracts awarded for Bridlington is worth 15,598 units of dental activity.
Scarborough Theatre Boss Welcomes £2.7 Million Funding Boost
Free Care Advice Drop-In Session To Be Held In Scarborough
Burton Constable Hall Secures £242,000 Funding To Restore Historic Cupolas
Call For North Yorkshire's Public Toilets To Remain Free As Council Set to Make Fees Decision
Local Charities Benefit From £46,000 Donation Through Safety-Linked Programme
Essential Highway Maintenance Causes Road Closure on A171
Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre Secures £2.7 Million In Major Funding Boost
Plans To Close Bridlington Care Unit Spark Health Forum Concerns
Yorkshire Water Reveals Dedicated Bathing Water Quality Team For Scarborough
Scarborough And Whitby RNLI Crews Among Busiest As Charity Launches Mayday Appeal
Plans Unveiled To Standardise Public Toilet Fees And Upgrade Facilities Across North Yorkshire
Whitby Rowing Club Rows Equivalent Distance To Copenhagen To Raise £1,500 For Local Charity
