Dentistry for Rural Populations Network
Launched in November 2008, this network is to offer a support and discussion forum for those commissioning services for or working in dentistry for rural populations.
The aim of the Dentistry for Rural Populations Network is to connect those responsible for dentistry working in rural populations to look at issues of common interest to share and develop ideas.
The network provides an opportunity to share resources and toolkits, ask questions and raise the profile of this part of the healthcare sector, through on-line means, future meetings and events.
Being part of the network you can:
-
Make connections with people and organisations outside of your geographical area
-
Explore potential partnership working
-
Identify common issues and themes
-
Share business ideas and solutions that work
-
Make use of the NHS Networks online discussion forum to debate issues and put forward your views
-
Have your say by taking part in online polls
-
Meet a wide variety of commissioners and providers from the NHS, social enterprise, independent sector and voluntary sector
-
Be inspired by innovative ideas and achievements
Commissioning NHS dentistry in rural areas - ‘show and tell’ event
An ‘show and tell’ event for PCT commissioners looking at the challenges of, and potential solutions to, commissioning NHS dental services in rural areas took place in north Devon on November 24 and 25. Supported by NHS PCC, and jointly hosted by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) and DH, it set out to help PCTs share innovative practice with a view to improving the quality and access of rural NHS dental services. Barry Cockcroft, CDO, and Stuart Burgess, Chairman of the CRC, opened the event, welcoming both the 22 delegates and the opportunity be involved in such an important forum, the first of its kind to look at the issues around NHS dentistry in rural populations. Barry Cockcroft made specific reference to how different rural commissioning is to commissioning for more urban areas and encouraged PCTs to continue to work together to pool ideas and experiences. He also stressed the importance of clinical engagement in rising to this – and a number of other – commissioning challenges.
Keynote presentations were then given by Devon and Cornwall & Isles of Scilly PCTs, in conjunction with two local dentists, with whom they have been working closely for a number of years to address local access issues.
In the afternoon, delegates were taken out on buses to visit two local practices in Chumleigh and Torrington to see the services outlined in the earlier presentations in action, in particular, how local commissioning has been used to address inequalities in oral health provision and how patients have been involved in shaping access to and delivery of services locally. Delegates were also given the opportunity to meet the wider dental teams working at the practices and to ask questions arising from the morning’s presentations.
The’show and tell’ event also saw the launch of the NHS Dentistry for Rural Populations Network. Its aim is to put PCTs responsible for dentistry in rural locations more closely in touch with each other so that they can look together at issues of common interest and share and develop new ideas collaboratively.
Presentations from the 'Show and Tall' event can be found here.
A full report of the event will shortly be appearing on the Rural Communities page of the website.
For further information please contact the network's co-ordinator.
Network contact: Krishna Patel, NHS Networks, krishna.patel@networks.nhs.uk