The Week in Dentistry: NHS care gaps, child oral health and AI use

Welcome to The Week in Dentistry, a regular round-up of dental sector updates from across the profession, including this week’s launch of new child oral health training resources.

Also featured in this week’s edition are warnings over gaps between hospital and community care, calls to protect Healthwatch England, consumer attitudes to artificial intelligence (AI) in health and personal care, and updates from the Association of Dental Groups conference.

BDA warned patients were ‘falling through the cracks’

The British Dental Association (BDA) warned that patients were falling through gaps between hospital and community care.

The comments followed cases examined by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, including a patient who waited eight years for treatment for broken teeth after a series of delays and problems caused by NHS England.

The BDA said the case pointed to under-resourcing in areas between primary and secondary care, including complex dentures, minor oral surgery, root canal treatments and complex periodontal work.

BDA chair Eddie Crouch said: ‘An eight-year wait is obscene but reflects a systemic failure to support timely, joined-up care.’

BSPD welcomed child oral health training

The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) welcomed the launch of new Mini Mouth Care Matters training and resources for health visiting teams.

The child oral health training package, developed with the Institute of Health Visiting, is now live on the NHS Learning Hub. It includes e-learning, a ‘lift the lip’ mouth check guide and an oral health advice checklist covering toothbrushing, diet, fluoride and dental attendance.

BSPD said the resources supported the integration of oral health into routine early years contacts and aimed to help reduce inequalities in children’s oral health.

BDA urged MPs to protect Healthwatch England

The BDA urged MPs to drop government plans to abolish Healthwatch England, warning that ministers should not be able to ‘mark their own homework’ on dentistry.

The professional body said Healthwatch England had provided an important patient voice during the dental access crisis, even when its reports had been challenging for the profession.

Eddie Crouch said: ‘Healthwatch England has spoken truth to power here for a generation. Its abolition would be a giant leap backwards for healthcare in England.’

Consumers open to AI for simple health queries, survey suggested

Consumers were more comfortable using artificial intelligence (AI) for simple health and personal care queries than for complex or sensitive issues, according to research commissioned by Moneypenny.

The survey of 2,000 UK consumers found 41% would be happy using AI for general information, such as opening hours, while 31% would use it for booking or changing an appointment. However, 31% said they would not be happy to use AI for any communications.

Sarah Roberts, head of medical sector at Moneypenny, said the best customer experiences would blend technology and human communication, with AI handling simple queries and people supporting more sensitive issues.

Minister addressed ADG annual conference

The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) welcomed more than 150 delegates to its third annual conference, held on 2 and 3 July in the Cotswolds.

Stephen Kinnock MP, minister of state for care at the Department of Health and Social Care, gave a keynote update on national dentistry policy, patient access, workforce supply and innovation.

ADG executive chair Neil Carmichael said the event showed ‘a clear determination to focus on the issues that matter and to implement the solutions that will make a real difference’.

Bupa Dental Care shared Tooth Fairy research

Bupa Dental Care research suggested children now receive an average of £2.10 from the Tooth Fairy, compared with £1.38 received by their parents when they were children.

The research also found that 75% of parents said their children believed in the Tooth Fairy, while 27% left £2.50 or more for every lost tooth.

Bupa said the tradition could provide an opportunity to discuss toothbrushing, fluoride toothpaste, sugar intake and regular dental visits.

Dr Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, said: ‘Traditions like the Tooth Fairy can also provide a valuable opportunity to talk to children about looking after their teeth and building positive oral health habits from an early age.’

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