Dentists will visit schools under £20k NHS plan

Up to £20,000 is being offered for dentists to visit schools to teach about oral health

Dentists are set to visit a county's schools as part of emergency action to tackle dental problems in children.

The NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (ICB) is offering up to £20,000 in funding for the next six months for the visits.

It would involve the dentists teaching children how to keep their teeth healthy.

A report has found Norfolk's five-year-olds have the worst rates of tooth decay in East Anglia.

Norfolk County Council previously offered a school dentistry service but it was pulled due to a drop in funding.

• Listen: Norfolk dentistry 'is a nightmare’

West Norfolk district councillor Alexandra Jemp, who has campaigned for improvements to dentistry in the region, said the cost of living crisis meant more parents were asking food banks for toothpaste and toothbrushes for children.

King's Lynn is one of the areas in Norfolk with the worst rate of tooth decay

“We have to get a grip on this problem and children’s dental health needs to be prioritised," Ms Jemp added.

A spokesman for the local ICB said improving children's oral health was an "important consideration" in its short-term dental plan.

"[It] will be a key priority in the ICB’s longer-term strategy to improve patient access to dental services and improve oral health outcomes for our local population," he added.