A new temporary community mobile dental unit from Powys Teaching Health Board is now operating at Bronllys Community Hospital and will remain at the site for the coming months.
The initiative, designed to address gaps in NHS dental services across Powys, follows the unit’s previous location in Hay-on-Wye, where it served as its first base.
Dental Director with the health board, Warren Tolley, explained: “This dental unit is staffed by a dedicated team, including a registered dental nurse, senior dental officer as well as driver/administrative officer. Our experience at Hay-on-Wye showed that we were able to make a real difference in reducing unmet NHS dental demand and now we are working to do the same at Bronllys.
“However, the five-day a week service is not be the same as a regular NHS practice. In order that we can see as many patients as possible, people will be invited to come to the start of a session (either a morning or afternoon) and they will then be seen as soon as possible.
“We appreciate that some patients may have to wait a little while, but this will mean that we can ensure that as many local people are seen during the day as possible.”
Patients on the existing dental waiting list in Powys will be invited to access the service for a single course of treatment. There will also be an urgent access provision for those experiencing dental pain or swelling, available through the 111 phone line.
The temporary mobile unit will offer a wide range of core dental services. However, patients requiring additional treatment or support may need to be referred to other services, including the dental department at Breconshire War Memorial Hospital.
Dr Tolley clarified that the service is available to anyone on the dental waiting list who either resides in Powys or is registered with a Powys GP, regardless of where they live.
He added: “The health board is putting a lot of money into providing this service but we also need Powys residents to do their bit to help us. You can help us by maintaining good oral health through regular brushing and cutting down on sugary food and drinks.”
He explained that patients who fail to attend will be returned to the dental waiting list including those who cancel appointments at short notice.
More information about the health board’s Community Dental Services can be found online at https://pthb.nhs.wales/services/adult-and-older-peoples-community-services/community-dental-services/