00:01Residents in Chiltern County Durham are facing difficulties accessing NHS dental services locally,
00:07with some travelling to Durham City or the coast for treatment.
00:11Councillor Stephen Bowrun said a fully equipped dental surgery in Chiltern is available,
00:16but the NHS Integrated Care Board has not approved funding.
00:20Health officials describe the issue as part of a national crisis in dentistry,
00:25citing staff shortages and post-Covid challenges.
00:28Urgent dental access centres have opened in Durham City, Barnard Castle and Peterley to provide emergency care.
00:35NHS representatives say reforms and investments, including a £9.5 million network,
00:41aim to improve urgent dental access across the region.
Comments