Health and Adult Social Care Policy and Scrutiny Committee	24 January 2022
Report of the Director of Public Health

Public Health - Oral Health Promotion Introduction

Summary

1.    The reports and discussion are to give assurance and identify improvement on the measures and services in place for the population of York on the prevention, treatment and maintaining good oral health. To achieve good oral health requires a system wide partnership approach from a number of organisations delivered in a timely and accessible manner.

2.    By understanding the needs of the population of York and partners contribution to a system wide approach we are working to identify where policies, strategies and initiatives are needed to improve oral health and reduce inequalities.

3.   The Oral Health Advisory Group brings together key stakeholders to plan, co-ordinate, implement and evaluate actions needed and taken to improve oral health. This forum ensures partners are sighted on any gaps, pressures and good practice and a shared understanding of local need. This way of working supports and informs commissioning intentions, the local delivery of the Local Dental Network work plan and the implementation of care pathways, policies and guidance.

Background

4. The access to dental provision across York and the need to reduce oral health inequalities has been a focus for a number of years. The pressure on the system has been exacerbated and heightened with the well documented impacts on healthcare brought about by the covid pandemic.

Consultation

5.    Not applicable.

Options      

6. Members are asked to consider and note the content of the reports provided.

Council Plan

7. In the May update to the Council Plan the local authority reiterated its commitment to supporting the best quality of life for ‘our residents’, especially those who educational, health and economic outcomes could be improved. The plan includes a number of key performance indicators including:

a.   Good Health and wellbeing, and

b.   A better start for children and young people which includes the reduction of health inequalities.

8. Both of the key indicators are affected and enhanced by access to oral health practitioners and healthy oral health behaviours.

        Implications

9. Members are asked to consider the following implications:

· Financial. Members are asked to consider the implications in each of the reports provided.

· Human Resources (HR). There are no HR implications within this report.

· Equalities. Poor oral health disproportionately affects children in vulnerable families, children who are looked after, those who have special educational needs and those of migrant and underserved populations.

· Legal. There are no legal implications within this report.

· Crime and Disorder. There are no crime and disorder implications within this report.

· Information Technology (IT). There are no IT implications in this report

· Property. There are no property implications within this report

10. Public Health Implications are that poor oral health often leads to severe pain sepsis, reduced quality of life, lost school days, disruption to family life, and decreased work productivity.

        Risk Management

11. Poor oral health has wide ranging impacts and can lead to overall poor health outcomes and reduction of life chances.  

        Recommendations

12. The purpose of the report is to ensure a systemwide approach to local need for a robust oral health pathway which is accessible and equitable and timely manner for the population of Work.

Contact Details

Author:		Chief Officer Responsible for the report:
	Philippa Press Public Health Specialist Public Health Tel No. 01904 555756 philippa.press@york.gov.uk		Fiona Phillips Assistant Director of Public Health
			Report Approved	√	Date	12.01.2022
Wards Affected:							All
For further information please contact the author of the report.

Annexes

Annex 1 – Public Health – Oral Health Promotion Update Report

Annex 2 - NHS England - Yorkshire and the Humber – Dentistry

Annex 3 – Healthwatch York – Dentistry in York – Report to follow