Covid-19 Dental Services and Mouth Cancer Diagnosis 2020-11-17
2020-11-17
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows the initial suspension of dental services during the first wave of COVID-19, which led to urgent measures being put in place. Since then, there has been a gradual restoration of dental activities.
What recent assessment has been made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on (a) access to routine dental services and (b) early diagnoses of mouth cancers?
Over 600 urgent dental centres were set up during the first wave to deliver care. Since June, dentists have prioritised urgent treatment for vulnerable groups and provided routine care across the network while maintaining safety measures due to aerosol-generating procedures.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about early diagnoses of mouth cancers was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or statistics.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Dental services have been impacted by reduced capacity and safety measures such as fallow time between patients, raising concerns about routine care.
What help can be given to dental surgeries to improve their capacity? Can grants be made available for expensive ventilation systems that could reduce the required gap between patient visits?
I am working closely with NHS Improvement and the chief dental officer on challenges like fallow time and testing solutions. We are also looking at the issue of ventilation and will report further progress soon.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for grants was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.
Response accuracy