Unmet Needs
Oral health inequalities remain a significant public health problem in England. Poor oral health disproportionally affects vulnerable and socially disadvantaged individuals and groups in society. Fluoride exposure, smoking and variation in dental access all play a role alongside other contributing factors.
There is insufficient capacity across North Tyneside community dentistry to meet demand. This same pattern is seen regionally and nationally, North Tyneside’s levels of dental activity have not returned to that of pre pandemic.
The older population are vulnerable to unmet oral care needs due to the interplay of many factors including increased risk of poor oral health due to comorbidities and medications, physical limitations making daily oral care and travel for routine and emergency dental treatment challenging, and cognitive decline making oral care prioritisation unlikely. It is likely we do not understand the true need of this community given the increasing number of older adults living alone in our communities.