Additional support for people needing urgent dental support has been made available in Sussex.

The NHS in Sussex is expanding access to urgent dental care appointments following the success of a pilot programme which was tested in high-street dentists in Sussex.

The initiative, designed to improve access to urgent dental services for people without a regular dentist and vulnerable patient groups, has already positively impacted the area.

The programme provides same-day urgent care appointments and offers courses of treatment to stabilise oral health, reducing the need for recurring visits. Sussex NHS said this approach is helping to alleviate demand on A&E departments, GP practices, and pharmacies, where many people with dental problems previously sought help.

To increase the availability and ensure as many people can get help as possible, appointments are being added across Sussex, with the aim of covering each local authority district area by February 2025. The phased expansion has targeted areas where patients face the most challenges accessing NHS dental services.

In January 2025, appointments were made available in the following areas: Adur, Arun, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings, Horsham, Lewes, Mid Sussex, Rother, Wealden and Worthing.

Nish Suchak, a local dentist working in East Sussex and chair of the Local Dental Committee for East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, said, “Our Local Dental Committee is pleased to have worked with NHS Sussex and the local dental system to help develop this innovative Urgent Dental Care Scheme.

“It has allowed more people in Sussex to be seen for NHS care, with some practices able to take patients on to their lists afterwards.

“It is heartening to see how much can be achieved when all parties concerned work in collaboration for a useful service for the local population offering patients NHS dental treatment to get them out of pain and improve their oral health. I hope it can continue.”

For more information call 0300 123 1663 or email kcht.dentalhelpdesk@nhs.net.

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