Essex receives £850,000 to boost NHS orthodontic services

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 10:41 · Archive

NHS Essex is investing £850,000 in orthodontic services to reduce waiting times and treat an additional 500 patients by March 2027.

NHS Essex is investing an extra £850,000 in orthodontic services across the county to reduce waiting times for patients. Demand for orthodontic care has risen in recent years, leading to longer waits. The funding is expected to allow orthodontic practices to treat up to 500 additional patients by the end of March 2027.

Orthodontic services support children and young people whose teeth or jaws do not line up correctly, with treatments including braces and retainers. Patients must first have a dental assessment to determine whether NHS orthodontic treatment is suitable for them. Beverley Flowers, executive director of neighbourhood health at NHS Essex, said: 'This positive investment into orthodontic services in Essex will help more young people to access orthodontic services sooner. It will also strengthen support for our orthodontic practices as they work to provide important services for patients.'

Further plans for the future of orthodontic services across Essex are expected to be announced in 2027. The investment forms part of wider efforts by NHS Essex to improve access to NHS dental care across the county, including expanding evening and weekend appointments through NHS 111 and rolling out the Care Homes Dental Scheme across the whole county.

How it is being reported

• Essex orthodontic funding to help young people get faster access to bracesHundreds of young people in Essex could soon get faster access to orthodontic treatment.Colchester Gazette · 5 Nov, 10:00
• £850,000 boost for Essex NHS orthodontic care to help reduce waiting timesAn extra £850,000 is being invested in NHS orthodontic services across Essex in a bid to cut waiting times for patientsEcho (Basildon) · 4 Nov, 17:00

In this story: NHS Essex · Essex · Beverley Flowers

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