Community mobile dental unit now operating at Bronllys
Powys Teaching Health Board’s new temporary community mobile dental unit is now providing services at Bronllys Community Hospital and will be operating from there in the coming months.
The mobile unit is a new initiative from the health board to help stem gaps in NHS dental provision in the county. The unit previously operated at Hay on Wye – the temporary mobile unit’s first base.
Dental Director with the health board, Warren Tolley, explained: “This dental unit is staffed by a dedicated team, including a registered dental nurse, senior dental officer as well as driver/administrative officer. Our experience at Hay on Wye showed that we were able to make a real difference in reducing unmet NHS dental demand and now we are working to do the same at Bronllys.”
“However, the five day a week service is not be the same as a regular NHS practice. In order that we can see as many patients as possible, people will be invited to come to the start of a session (either a morning or afternoon) and they will then be seen as soon as possible.”
“We appreciate that some patients may have to wait a little while, but this will mean that we can ensure that as many local people are seen during the day as possible.”
Patients will be invited to the service from the existing dental waiting list in Powys for a single course of treatment but there will also be an urgent access provision - for patients with dental pain or swelling - by calling the 111 phone line.
The temporary unit will be able to provide a wide range of core dental services, but where patients need additional treatment or support, they may need to be referred to other services including the dental department at Breconshire War Memorial Hospital.
Dr Tolley explained that the service will be for anyone on the dental waiting list who either lives in Powys or who lives outside Powys but is registered with a Powys GP.
He added: “The health board is putting a lot of money into providing this service but we also need Powys residents to do their bit to help us. You can help us by maintaining good oral health through regular brushing and cutting down on sugary food and drinks.”
He explained that patients who fail to attend will be returned to the dental waiting list including those who cancel appointments at short notice.
More information about the health board’s Community Dental Services can be found online at https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/adult-and-older-peoples-community-services/community-dental-services/