Issue - meetings

The Panel considered the report of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board which provided and update on dentistry provision in Southampton.

Simon Cooper, Director of Pharmacy, Optometry and Dentistry, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board; Jo Hannigan, Patient Involvement;

and Councillor Fielker, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing were in attendance and, with the consent of the Chair, addressed the meeting.

The Panel discussed a number of points including:

• Preventative activity to encourage better oral health practice.
• The challenges created by the national contract.
• Opportunities to develop additional services targeted at areas where need was highest.
• Fluoridation in the water supply to improve oral health.

RESOLVED 

1)  That, if available, data would be provided to the Panel on children accessing NHS dentistry in Southampton.

2)  That support would be provided to primary schools to encourage better oral health practises in Southampton.

3)  That the Administration would seek clarification from the Government with regards to the current policy position relating to water fluoridation and the processes that would need to be followed to enact this measure.

4)  That it be noted that, as a catalyst to improving dental health outcomes in the city, the Southampton Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel supports calls to reform the existing NHS Dental Contract.