Have your say on Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery services in Northamptonshire

Overview

What are Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery Services?

Oral surgery is surgical treatment in the mouth. This includes the removal of teeth. Most oral surgery is undertaken in general dental practices, although some patients are referred elsewhere for treatment. The most complex oral surgery is undertaken in hospitals. Sometimes the treatment required is beyond the remit of a general dental practice, but not sufficiently complex to be undertaken in a hospital. In these instances, treatment may be undertaken by an Intermediate Minor Oral Surgery (IMOS) service.

IMOS services treat patients aged 16 years and over who are referred by their regular dentist for specific oral surgery treatment. Sometimes this involves conscious sedation, which is the use of medication to help patients to relax during treatment. When the treatment has been undertaken, patients return to their regular dentist for ongoing care. IMOS services do not offer general dental services or treatment for children.

Why is the consultation taking place?

The contractual arrangements for the current IMOS services in Northamptonshire will soon end, along with those for the other IMOS services across the East Midlands. These services were established in 2012 when Northamptonshire’s population and its oral health needs were different to those today. New IMOS services are being developed to meet Northamptonshire’s current and future needs. Feedback on the proposed changes is important and this consultation is your opportunity to share your views.

What are the current IMOS services in Northamptonshire?

The current IMOS services operate from five locations in Northamptonshire:

1. Corby
2. Kettering
3. Wellingborough
4. Daventry
5. Northampton

What are the proposed IMOS services in Northamptonshire?

The proposed IMOS services would operate from two locations in Northamptonshire:

1. Kettering
2. Northampton

The map below shows these proposed locations and off-peak journey times by car. The proposal is for the service to be located no more than 2.5km (1.55 miles), as the crow flies, from the main railway station at each proposed location.

What are the benefits of the proposed IMOS service?

• Locations will be accessible by car, train and bus
• Choice of appointment times will be improved
• Treatment will be undertaken within 18 weeks of referral
• Conscious sedation will be available
• Scope for managing complications following treatment will be improved
• Service resilience will be improved

What factors were considered in developing the proposed IMOS services?

A broad range of factors were considered, to ensure the proposed services meet Northamptonshire's current and future oral health needs. These included:

• Population and projected population growth, to ensure sufficient service capacity
• Population oral health, to align service locations with the areas where oral health is poorest and the need for services is greatest
• Deprivation, as those living in deprivation have the poorest general health and oral health and the greatest need for treatment
• Ethnicity, on account of differences in general health and oral health between ethnic groups
• Travel time by car, train and bus, for accessibility
• Current IMOS service usage, to identify areas from which patient numbers are lower than expected
• Feedback from previous IMOS engagement exercises, to incorporate the views of those who engaged
• Guidance on the commissioning of oral surgery services, to ensure best practice is adopted
• Financial provision, so that best use may be made of all available funding

Are the patient charges for the proposed IMOS service the same as for the current IMOS services?

Yes. The standard NHS charge for assessment and oral surgery treatment will apply. This is currently £65.20. There will continue to be no charge for patients who are exempt from patient charges.

How can I provide feedback?

By clicking the link below, you will be directed to a series of questions. All feedback is important, and it will be analysed and shared after the consultation closes. If you have a query, or if you require the information or questions in an alternative format, please contact england.em-dentalengage@nhs.net. The consultation will close on 21 December 2021.