Agenda item

The Chairman invited to the table:

·         Ms Natalia Clifford – Consultant in Public Health, London Borough of Barnet

·         Councillor Helena Hart – Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, Barnet

Ms Clifford introduced the report to the Committee and flagged up that Barnet has some of the highest rates of tooth decay compared with children in the rest of London and England. She said that in Barnet the average child with tooth decay requires treatment on four teeth. Ms Clifford told the Committee that those living in deprived communities had worse dental health, diet and overall health and that comparatively lower numbers of these children visited the dentist.

Ms Clifford told the Committee that oral health promotion was currently funded by Public Health with support and education packs being sent out, however there is a possibility that there will be no budget for this in 2018/19. She informed the Committee that in September a clinically led review would be held to assess the problems regarding availability, education and training of dental health in children. 

Councillor Hart told the Committee that dental services had previously come under the CCG and were now under NHS England. She said it was important to find out from NHS dentists how many under 18s were struggling to access treatment. Councillor Hart also said that education on dental health should be incorporated into education at Primary School and via health visitors.

Councillor Moore asked whether there was any evidence to suggest that children living in families residing in temporary accommodation appeared to be visiting the dentist less. She also asked whether there was a shortage of dental practices available in deprived areas or whether the cost of travel had an impact on visits. Councillor Moore suggested out-reach work with other types of clinic might help maximise the message of good dental health whilst children were young.

Ms Clifford said more research would need to be done in order to answer these questions fully. She confirmed that the data did not include private dentists. Councillor Hart said that often children were seen at little or no cost at their parents’ private dentists. She said that there was no longer continuity of visits to the same dental practice as registration no longer takes place.

Councillor Cohen asked what the impact would be on dental health once the oral health promotion activity had been lost. Ms Clifford said that the plan was to conduct a deep-dive activity in September and that recommendations from this would be considered seriously and conversations held on how to deal with the impact. Councillor Moore requested a follow up report be brought to the Committee once the deep-dive research had been completed.

The Chairman queried whether parents were aware that treatment was free for children on the NHS. Ms Clifford said that the deep-dive research would enable them to look deeper into identifying any potential issues. The Chairman also asked whether cultural backgrounds appeared to be an issue. Ms Clifford said that this was not something she had noted as an issue and that diet, sugar and bottle feeding were higher concerns.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Committee noted the report.

2.         The Committee requested an update report once the deep-dive had been completed.