Innovative D-Scheme to help cared for children access dental care

AN INNOVATIVE scheme will support cared for children in Tameside to access dental care.

Cared for children often face substantially greater difficulties in accessing dental care. To reduce inequalities, the local NHS Cared for Children Team have worked with NHS dentists in Tameside to create the D-Scheme, which helps cared for children and care leavers aged up to 25 in the borough arrange a dental appointment.

The initiative is attracting interest from other local authorities looking to establish similar schemes.

Several NHS Dental practices in Tameside have signed up to the scheme, covering areas including Ashton, Dukinfield, Denton and Hyde.

Young people can access details of the D-Scheme using a QR code and they can be accompanied or encouraged to attend by either their foster carer, residential care staff, personal assistant, health professional or social worker.

Cllr Bill Fairfoull, Tameside Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children and Families, said: “We will do all we can to support our cared for children and this is another example of that unwavering commitment. The D-Scheme is an innovative way of reducing inequality and I’d like to thank everyone involved for the support and care they’re providing to our cared for children.”

Jo Booth, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Lead Nurse for Cared for Children, said: “As a multi-agency partnership, we are the corporate parents for children, meaning that in society they are our children and our responsibility. As parents, we would ensure the health needs of our children are being met so we must do the same for children in care and our care leavers.” 

Find out more about the D-Scheme at www.tameside.gov.uk/dscheme.

Anyone who would like to find out more about fostering for Tameside and become part of Tameside’s fostering community should visit www.tameside.gov.uk/fostering or call 0161 342 2342.