Trial of Dental Services in GP Surgery Deemed 'Game Changer'

A trial of dental services within a GP surgery in Peterborough has been described as a "game changer" by Dr. Neil Modha, a GP and managing partner at Thistlemoor Medical Centre. The 18-month pilot program, which began in December, aims to address oral health problems earlier by proactively contacting patients identified as vulnerable through GP records and referring them to an on-site dental team.

Since its inception, the pilot has provided more than 1,500 NHS dental appointments. The service is commissioned to provide 2,500 appointments over the 18-month period. The dental team consists of three dentists, two dental therapists, and three dental nurses. Priority for appointments is given to patients such as children in care, vulnerable adults with diabetes, and those with complex conditions.

The Thistlemoor Medical Centre serves approximately 33,000 patients in a deprived area of Peterborough, where nearly three-quarters of children live in low-income families. Peterborough has previously been described as a "dental desert" by the city's MP, Andrew Pakes. NHS data indicates that about 20% of adults in the city saw a dentist in the two years to April 2026, compared with 40% across England. Just over half of children in Peterborough saw an NHS dentist in 2025-26, compared with 60% across England.

The Thistlemoor pilot scheme has been shortlisted for the HSJ Primary Care Provider of the Year award and is a finalist in three categories of the Parliamentary Pathfinder Dentistry Awards. A Peterborough City Council scrutiny committee is due to discuss its partnership with the pilot on Tuesday, although no decision on extending the scheme is expected at this stage.