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<p>More National Health Service orthodontic care is being delivered, with the Units
of Orthodontic Activity having increased by 5.7% when compared to pre-pandemic figures,
from 4.1 million in 2018/19 to 4.4 million in 2022/23. This suggests more NHS orthodontic
care is being commissioned and delivered.</p><p>From 1 April 2023, the responsibility
for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population
has been delegated to the integrated care boards across England. ICBs are responsible
for having local processes in place to involve patient groups, to undertake oral health
need assessments to identify areas of need, and to determine the priorities for investment.</p><p>NHS
England has published guidance to support commissioners in taking advantage of the
opportunities offered through additional services, which includes orthodontic services,
and further services, by using flexible commissioning to tailor services to meet local
population oral health needs. Further information is available at the following link:</p><p><a
href="https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/opportunities-for-flexible-commissioning-in-primary-care-dentistry-a-framework-for-commissioners/"
target="_blank">https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/opportunities-for-flexible-commissioning-in-primary-care-dentistry-a-framework-for-commissioners/.</a></p>
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