Exmouth residents who need urgent dental care can now access treatment at an 'urgent dental centre' created in the town to serve the whole of East Devon.

All non-urgent dental activity has stopped in line with the changes to people's everyday lives that the Government announced at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

In light of the public health control measures and in recognition of the difficulties that dental practices face, including continuing concerns about staff safety, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) is making a number of immediate changes to the delivery and operation of its dental services in East Devon.

Across every NHS region local Urgent Dental Care (UDC) systems are being created to provide care for people with urgent and emergency dental problems.

The hubs are being established to meet the distinct needs of people with urgent dental care needs:

1. Those who are possible or confirmed COVID-19 patients – including patients with symptoms, or those living in their household

1. Those who are 'shielded', as being at most-significant risk from COVID-19

1. Those who are vulnerable/at increased risk from COVID-19

1. Any other people who do not fit one of the above categories

Hubs are being developed to allow appropriate separation and treatment of patients in these categories.

Each patient will be assessed and triaged depending on a number of factors, and their care managed accordingly.

Patients will only be seen after a referral via the triage system. Drop-ins are not permitted.

Fifteen locations have been chosen to cover the South West as best as possible, within limitations posed by staffing and equipment. This means that some patients will need to travel.

East Devon's Dental Hub is being set up in Exmouth but Devon County Council's Helath and Adult Care Scrutiny team has warned that some patients may need to travel to another South West hub if the one in Exmouth is overwhelmed.

With the initial service now operational, further centres are likely to be added to reduce journey time.

The precise locations will not be publicised, as hubs are accessible by referral only; drop-ins are not permitted.

How will triage work?

Triage will be used to decide which category people fall into, depending on their symptoms and level of pain.

The triage categories are:

1. Requires immediate treatment on the day
2. Treatment within 24 hours
3. Non-urgent

Those involved in triage have a detailed operating procedure to help them allocate different dental conditions to the correct category.

How do patients access these urgent centres?

Patients with an urgent or emergency dental condition must not attend any clinics as they need to be triaged first.

This system also helps manage the flow to centres and avoid queues (in line with social- distancing measures).

Registered patients

People who have a dental practice and use it regularly should contact their dentist by phone to seek a referral. All NHS dental surgeries should be accessible by phone, even though their doors are shut.

Unregistered patients

People who don't have a dentist should call the dental helpline on 03330 063300 or email: [email protected].