A dental training centre is being considered to solve Lincolnshire’s recruitment and retention crisis.
The project would mirror the recently-inaugurated Lincoln Medical School, aiming to train dentists who would stay in the county.
A centre for dental development is one of the options being explored, although no funding has been identified due to the early stage.
The Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is leading this initiative, in collaboration with the University of Lincoln and the Lincolnshire Local Dental Network.
Lincolnshire is considered one of the UK’s ‘dental deserts’ with an extreme shortage of professionals.
The vision is for a hub and spoke model, which could feature a base in Lincoln and smaller centres elsewhere in the county.
No date for the centre was confirmed, however it’s hoped to be in place within the next two years if it goes ahead.
The plan was publicly confirmed at Lincolnshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny meeting last week.
Kenny Hume, the chairman of the Lincolnshire Local Dental Network, said: “The aim is to provide a centre for training, education and pastoral or professional support as well.
“We hope that by providing professional support at the start of the journey that these people will stay in Lincolnshire, put down roots and hopefully increase the workforce.
“We’re working with the university and the ICB. We’ve developed close connections other areas don’t have… and that’s a real positive,” he said.
During the meeting, councillors suggested additional strategies to improve recruitment and retention, such as funding dental training for individuals who commit to working in the area and recruiting refugees.
They remained concerned around the high number of people unable to access NHS dentistry due to high costs and a lack of prevention measures.
Some measures already implemented by the ICB, such as the £15,000 golden welcome incentive, have struggled to convince providers like Bupa to keep their clinics open, the meeting was told.
Efforts to increase dental access have included weekend sessions, additional orthodontic case starts, more than £190,000 of investment, and additional capacity in child-friendly practices.
As of May 2023, the level of retained patient access over a rolling 12-month period in Lincolnshire ICB is 84 per cent of pre-pandemic levels,significantly lower than the Midlands rate of 93 per cent.
Coun Tom Smith argued that “tinkering around the edges” of the contract is not enough to address the problems. “You’re trying to put a band aid on a gaping hole where you need a tourniquet,” he said.
