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<p>From 1 April 2023 responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet
the needs of the local population, including for children, has been delegated to integrated
care boards (ICBs) across England. NHS England has published an accompanying Assurance
Framework which sets out its approach to providing assurance that commissioning functions
are carried out safely and effectively by ICBs.</p><p>In September 2022, we announced
‘Our plan for patients’ which sets out how we will meet oral health needs and increase
access to NHS dental for patients of all ages, whilst making the National Health Service
dental contract more attractive to dental practices. These changes have been implemented,
including through regulations that came into effect on 25 November 2022. NHS England
is holding further discussions with the British Dental Association and other stakeholders
for plans for additional reforms of the NHS Dental System coming shortly.</p><p>In
circumstances where a guardian or parents are unable to access an urgent dental appointment
for their child directly through a NHS dental practice, they are advised to contact
NHS 111 for assistance.</p>
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