Smiles all round as more NHS dental places come to Cumbria

Long queues outside the only NHS dentist in town are now a thing of the past as NHS Cumbria invests £millions in more dental services. Since 2005, more than 50,000 new NHS dental places have been created in Cumbria. In addition, this year 7,500 new places have been created in Kendal and 30,000 in West Cumbria –divided between Workington, Whitehaven, Maryport and Egremont.

“Since 2005, more than 50,000 new NHS dental places have been created in Cumbria.”

“But it doesn’t stop here,” says Eric Rooney, Consultant in Dental Public Health at NHSCumbria. “We want to ensure that as many people as possible who want access to an NHS dentist can have one. 

“Following the massive rollout in new dental places across Cumbria, we’re now looking to provide more access to NHS dentistry in Keswick, Barrow and Millom.”

Together with NHS Cumbria’s investment in more dental places, the Carlisle Dental Centre was officially opened in February, in collaboration with North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. The £4million centre is home to seven NHS dentists and is also a training facility for dental students from the University of Central Lancashire. It is hoped the centre will boost the number of newly trained NHS dentists deciding to stay and practice in the county. “However, if you want an NHSdentist, you do need to get your name on the NHSdatabase,” says Eric. “If your name is on the database, then as soon as an NHS dental place becomes available in your area, you will be contacted and allocated a place on a first come basis.”

People who need advice on an urgent dental problem can contact the following helplines: North Cumbria Dental Direct: 01228 603900 South Cumbria Dental Direct: 01539 716822

Patients who wish to register for NHS dental care can do so by completing the Dental Direct form, available in all GP surgeries or by following the links on the NHS Cumbria’s cumbria.nhs.uk/pct/patientinfo/dentist.aspx