The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A public forum to discuss issues around the availability of NHS dentists in the county has been postponed.
Healthwatch Lincolnshire was hoping to host a live panel event this week, but it has been moved to Wednesday, March 30.
The lack of dentists in Lincolnshire has been a concern for some time and the Your Voice panel will continue to take questions ahead of the event which can be watched remotely.
To submit a question and register for the event, visit www.healthwatchlincolnshire.co.uk
The postponement has been put down to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ and the unavailability of panel members.
The new event will take place from 10am.
This week the British Dental Association has underlined the problem and expressed fears for the future. It said NHS dentistry was ‘hanging by a thread.’
The union said losses to the profession suggest eight per cent of the NHS workforce has gone.
Leaders say that dentists who had not previously considered working outside the system were now seriously looking.
“Over half stated they are likely to reduce their NHS commitment. One in ten estimated their practices will close in the next 12 months,” said a statement.
The lack of NHS dentists in the area has seen people wait years to join a practice.
Speaking last week, Dr Kenny Hume, chair of Lincolnshire Dental Committee, said dentists were working hard and it was not a case of them ‘not caring.’
“We care very much about the welfare of patients,” he said. But recruitment was proving a huge issue.
