Recommendations to improve NHS dentistry to be implemented.

Improvements to the standards offered by NHS dentistry in the UK are to be carried out, it has been revealed.

Cosmetic Dentistry Guide reported recommendations made in the Steele Review are to be put into practice in order to boost efficiency and the level of care offered by NHS dentistry services.

The report – published in July last year – recommended measures including recording the quality and quantity of treatments for each patient, as well as encouraging more dentists to carry out preventative work.

Elsewhere, the Ormskirk & Skelmersdale Advertiser recently reported more than 16,000 new NHS dentistry places have been created in western Lancashire in order to meet the demand of locals for emergency dentistry procedures.

The new dentistry places have been set up at surgeries in Ormskirk at the West Lancashire Health Centre on the Ormskirk Hospital site, while a further 16,000 places are to be created in Preston and Chorley.

New dentistry places have been created in western Lancashire.

More than 16,000 new NHS dentistry places have been created in western Lancashire in order to meet the demand of locals for emergency dentistry procedures.

The Ormskirk & Skelmersdale Advertiser reported the new dentistry places have been set up at surgeries in Ormskirk at the West Lancashire Health Centre on the Ormskirk Hospital site.

In addition, a further 16,000 places are to be created in Preston and Chorley.

Janice Nicholson, head of dental commissioning for the region, commented: “This has been a major development in dental care provision in the area and we are keen that as many residents benefit from it as possible.”

Elsewhere, the Goole Courier recently reported a new emergency dentistry surgery is to open in Snaith, North Yorkshire.

Snaith had been identified by NHS East Riding of Yorkshire as being an area that was in need of additional dental provision and therefore, the opening of this new surgery will be welcome news to locals.

Dentists in Ireland are urging patients to sign up for treatments.

Dentists in Donegal, Ireland, are urging patients to sign up for any treatments they require ahead of the new year.

The Derry Journal reported budget cuts for free treatments by the Irish government come into effect on January 1st and as such, anyone hoping to get free emergency dentistry treatment is being warned there are likely to be cutbacks and so should book an appointment sooner rather than later.

The government has announced plans to reduce free dentistry entitlements for procedures such as root canal work, dentures, dental implants, fillings and extractions.

The Irish Dental Association commented on the move saying it was “a serious mistake, which will penalise many people”.

Elsewhere, Dentistry.co.uk reported Roddy Kemp, a strategic partner at Clarity SMC, recently stated that as long as UK dentists continue to offer a professional and affordable level of service, then 2010 could be a bumper year for the industry.