Proposed new NHS dental services in Lincolnshire

What we set out to achieve

NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) sought feedback from residents and community organisations  supporting people who may experience health inequalities on proposals to introduce new NHS dental services in Lincoln, Boston and Skegness. These locations were identified as areas with significant unmet need for NHS dental care and some of the poorest oral health outcomes in the county.

The engagement aimed to:

• Understand current experiences of accessing NHS dental care.
• Identify barriers preventing people from accessing services.
• Gather views on the proposed locations and service model.
• Explore what matters the most to people when accessing NHS dental care.
• Ensure the views of people who experience health inequalities were considered before finalising service requirements

What we did

An engagement exercise was carried out between 25 June and 19 July 2026.

Activities included:

• A countywide online survey with options to complete over the phone.
• Engagement with organisations supporting people who may experience health inequalities.
• Promotion through the ICB website, social media channels, GP and dental practices, Healthwatch, Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), voluntary sector organisations and stakeholder networks.
• Distribution through community organisations and local support groups.
• Media coverage, including local press and BBC coverage.

Target audience: Lincolnshire residents and organisations representing communities who may experience health inequalities.

Total responses: 1,780 survey responses were received from residents across all Lincolnshire districts. Feedback was also received from organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness, recovery from drug and alcohol use, people on probation, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities, asylum seekers, migrant communities, children and young people, and groups leaders who support people where English is not their first language.

What you told us:

Strong support for additional NHS dental services: 90% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal to introduce additional NHS dental services in Lincoln, Boston and Skegness.

Access to NHS dentistry is difficult: More than 80% of respondents reported that accessing NHS dental care is difficult or very difficult, with the most common barrier being the inability to find an NHS dentist accepting new NHS patients.

What matters the most to people: Respondents identified quality of care, affordable treatment costs, ease of booking appointments and waiting times as the most important factors when accessing NHS dental services.

Key themes raised:

• Significant concerns about the lack of NHS dental appointments across Lincolnshire.
• Long waiting times and increasing numbers of practices moving to private provision.
• Affordability challenges associated with private treatment.
• Travel and transport difficulties, particularly in rural areas.
• Support for evening and weekend appointments.
• Requests for improved access for children, families, disabled people and vulnerable groups.
• Strong support for trauma-informed, culturally competent and accessible services.

Feedback from organisations supporting people experiencing health inequalities highlighted additional barriers including homelessness, transport difficulties, stigma, anxiety, language barriers, affordability, and the need for outreach and flexible service delivery models.

The difference it’s made

• The Tier 2 Continence Service has been transferred to Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust with full arrangements from 1 July 2026.
• Staff have been transferred from Lincolnshire County Council to Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust to support the delivery of the Continence Service.
• The feedback has been shared with the Performance Review Meeting.
• The feedback has been shared with the Group Leadership Team.

What’s next?

The feedback will be used to help inform the development of the proposed new NHS dental services in Lincoln, Boston and Skegness and support wider planning for future improvements to NHS dental provision across Lincolnshire.

The ICB will continue to work with providers, partners and local communities to improve access to NHS dental care and ensure that the needs and experiences shared through this engagement are considered as services are developed

Supporting resources

News article: New plans aim to boost access to NHS dental care in Lincolnshire

Download the “Have your say on new dental services in Lincolnshire” poster