16,000 more get to see a dentist

THE number of people being seen by an NHS dentist in Oldham is rising year on year with 16,000 more patients being seen since the Government reforms in 2006.

According to the information centre for health and social care, in the two years to June, 2009 138,371 people accessed an NHS dentist.

A breakdown reveals 97,507 were adults and 40,864 were children — 63 per cent of the population of Oldham.

In comparison, in the two years to March, 2006, a total of 122,975 people in Oldham saw an NHS dentist — of which 89,287 were adults and 33,688 children — 56 per cent of the population.

Current take up in Oldham is also higher than the North-West average of 59.9 per cent and 54.1 per cent across England.

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Phil Woolas said: “The changes we introduced were precisely to help areas like Oldham where take up of NHS dentistry was historically low.

“We introduced the changes in widespread opposition in parliament and the sector, but the figures would seem to vindicate our policy.”

Shauna Dixon, director of clinical leadership for NHS Oldham, said: “Since 2006, we have opened four new dental practices.

“A further two practices with provision for oral health education, are planned for 2009/2010 and we have increased the number of practices offering extended opening hours.”

“We continue to work towards increasing access to dental treatment for everyone who needs it.”