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<p>No data is collected centrally on the number of available National Health Service
appointments in dental practices. Routine dental care has been restarted but safety
of clinicians and patients is the priority. As with almost all areas of healthcare
the infection prevention and control requirements of the pandemic period mean that
at least initially dentists will be able to deliver fewer treatments per day. NHS
England and NHS Improvement has been clear that dentists should only increase service
as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.</p><p>Most high street dentists purchase
personal protective equipment (PPE) via dental wholesalers which supply a range of
equipment needed by dentists including PPE. During the COVID-19 pandemic the Government
is working closely with industry, the National Health Service, social care providers
and the army to ensure that PPE is delivered to those who need it. Our priority is
ensuring the safety of patients and all health care workers, including dentists. This
includes supporting dental wholesalers to stock the equipment needed by general dental
practice to safely support practices to restart face to face dental care.</p><p> </p><p>NHS
England and NHS Improvement took steps to minimise any impact of the suspension of
routine dentistry at the peak of the pandemic by setting up urgent dental centres
to deliver treatment urgently needed. Urgent dental treatment has therefore been available
throughout the pandemic period through the over 600 such centres set up. These centres
continue to operate through the restart period ensuring that patients who need urgent
treatment can receive it.</p>
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