​A new proposal from NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) will see Suffolk County Council invest £1.1 million into new dental care incentives.

To instil a good oral hygiene routine for life, they plan to target young children and families. They will also work with community clinics to provide care for vulnerable families.

According to the East Anglian Daily Times, the ICB has also raised £90,000 to fund their ‘Keep Suffolk Smiling’ project for three years, “which sees health visitors visiting young children from 12 months through to two years old.”

The suggested plans include a community varnishing program and community clinics for families on universal credit.

The ICB has suggested that a portion of the fund is given to Domiciliary and Specialist Care in Suffolk. They hope this would reduce the waiting list and “support wider dental initiatives”.

Another idea in the offing is to create a centre for dental development on the University of Suffolk’s campus. It would be run as a “social dental enterprise” to attract and train newly-qualified dentists.

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