8,000 people to have new dentist
PLANS to open an NHS dental surgery in one of the worst oral health areas of North Staffordshire have moved a step closer.
North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust has been looking to expand dental services in Silverdale, Knutton and Cross Heath.
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PLANS: The unit on the Brock Way industrial estate which is to be turned into a dental surgery.
At the moment many residents have to travel to Stoke-on-Trent for NHS dentistry treatment.
But an application has been submitted to Newcastle Borough Council to open a dentist's at Brock Way industrial estate, in Knutton.
The facility would have three dentists and serve about 8,000 people in the local area.
In a letter to the borough council, Pat Alker, primary care development manager at NHS North Staffordshire, said: "Milehouse is a deprived area and patients living in the areas have already been identified as those with the poorest oral health and access to dentistry locally.
"The PCT believes this is an ideal location and facility to deliver dental services as the site is easily accessible for patients."
A health equity audit for primary care dental services two years ago identified the three wards making up the Milehouse area as a priority zone.
Of the 7,000 people living in Cross Heath, Knutton and Silverdale, only 50 per cent are using NHS dental facilities.
The number of people with decayed, missing or filled teeth in those areas is also higher than average for the area.
Rodericks Limited, which runs a number of private care and NHS dental practices across the country, has been selected by the PCT as the preferred bidder to provide services in the Milehouse area.
The company previously wanted to turn the former Silverdale Infants' School into a dentist but chose instead to push ahead with the Brock Way site.
The development at Brock Way includes building a two-storey extension to the present unit.
Newcastle MP Paul Farrelly has expressed concern at the proposed location.
He said: "I am not sure an industrial estate is the right place to be building this.
"I'll be taking this up with the PCT as a matter of urgency."
However, Eileen Braithwaite, chairman of Silverdale Parish Council, said: "I've been going to a dentist in Stoke for the last 10 years because of a lack of close NHS facilities. I think the proposed location is the right place for it to go. "
A decision on the application is expected at the start of July.
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2 Comments
by amron, stoke
Saturday, June 06 2009, 2:21PM
“I agree with you mikey. I do not understand why dentistry is not part of general health.
I had to have a tooth out recently and was terrified. I was told I could have the relaxing effect of gas and air at a cost of £100.
sadly,I could not afford that.
it is an utter disgrace that pain contol is linked to wealth.”
by Mikey, Newcastle
Saturday, June 06 2009, 11:41AM
“Why is it that we are expected to pay to go to the dentist,when dental problems could lead to organ failure etc?
You could be screaming in agony in this miserable mean-spirited country,but if you have no cash then you'll not get any treatment.
How did this situation come about?”