New Covid Dental Scheme For Children On Jersey
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- Published: Monday, 03 January 2022 14:28
- Written by News Editor
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A new scheme to help secondary schoolchildren on Jersey, who are not usually entitled to free dentistry, but whose dental care has been disrupted by Covid-19 has been introduced by their government. This contrasts with the situation in England where the number of children able to access NHS dentistry has declined dramatically.
Jersey does not have NHS dentistry, with most people being seen privately, although there is a scheme for the care of some children. According to the report by BBC News, children from families who receive income support will be offered up to £350 of preventative treatment.
In the newly announced system, those eligible could expect access to the following services:
- Dental check-up
- Scale and polish
- Two courses of fluoride varnish (the second course will be accompanied with a further check-up)
- Fissure Sealant
- Remedial treatments including filings and extractions
In contrast, last month Healthwatch England reported that here children were missing out on dental treatment. They said: “As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on NHS dental services continue, our data is starting to show that children and young people are increasingly the ones to suffer.”
Sir Robert Francis QC, who chairs the organisation said: “Today, dentistry remains the only part of the NHS that receives a lower budget in cash terms than in 2010. The ongoing neglect of NHS dentistry will have repercussions for the life-long health of current and future generations. Lack of access to dental care, particularly for children, is a hugely worrying issue that the NHS must tackle immediately.”
The scheme, which will be funded by Customer and Local Services, is estimated to cost £240,000.
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