The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Dover Council met on Monday, 10 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the scrutiny of dentistry provision in the Dover District, the renovation of a former hair salon to provide extended facilities for the Crosslinks Youth & Community Hub, and updates on various ongoing projects.

Scrutiny of Dentistry Provision in the Dover District

Sukh Singh, Director of Primary and Community (Out of Hospital) Care at NHS Kent and Medway, Louise Matthews, Deputy Director Primary Care Commissioning at NHS Kent and Medway, and Cheryl Wood, Chair of Kent Local Dentistry Committee, attended the meeting to address the committee's questions on dentistry provision.

• Registration and Access: The committee learned that patients are not registered with dentists in the same way as with GPs, leading to challenges in measuring access. Between April 2018 and April 2020, less than half of the Kent and Medway population accessed NHS Dental Services, with a significant drop during the pandemic.

• Workforce Data: Workforce data is limited, but the number of dentists undertaking NHS dentistry in Kent and Medway increased by 9.4% from 2012-13 to 2022-23. However, there was a 2.1% decrease between 2021-22 and 2022-23.

• Current Availability: As of 10 April 2024, three dental practices in Dover were accepting new NHS patients: AF Dental, Dumbledore Dental Care Ltd, and Mydentist.

• Government's NHS Dentistry Recovery Plan: The plan includes initiatives such as a new national minimum UDA rate, a New Patient Premium, mobile dental vans, and a 'Golden Hello' for dentists. However, no dental vans are planned for the Dover district.

• Children's Dental Services: The proportion of children attending NHS dentists has fluctuated, with a significant drop during the pandemic but a subsequent recovery. Local authorities remain responsible for commissioning oral health promotion services.

Renovation of Former Hair Salon for Crosslinks Youth & Community Hub

The Head of Property Assets updated the committee on the project to renovate shops at 9 and 13 Sheridan Road, Dover, to support the Crosslinks Community Hub. The project aims to provide community benefits and prevent anti-social behaviour by repurposing empty properties. The committee noted the report and discussed the project's progress and budget pressures.

Other Updates

• Dover District Crematorium Project: The Strategic Project Manager presented a report on the project, which the committee noted.

• Dover Town Centre Regeneration - Roman Painted House and Roman Lawn: The Head of Place and Growth presented a report on the regeneration project, which the committee noted.

• Your Leisure Additional Funding: The Strategic Project Manager presented a report on additional funding for Your Leisure, which the committee noted.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes Public Pack 15042024 Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Supplementary Paper - Minutes 10th-Jun-2024 18.00 Overview and Scrutiny Committee.