Government reforms aimed at improving NHS dentistry on the Isle of Wight are beginning to increase access to appointments and expand services across the Island.
The changes follow work led by Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley to bring together the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and local dental providers.
Efforts have focused on strengthening collaboration between practices, improving urgent care provision and supporting long-term recruitment and training.
Following the closure of the MyDentist practice in Freshwater, services have continued under Denbigh House, helping to maintain care for existing patients. Dental activity from terminated contracts has also been redistributed across providers in a bid to improve access more fairly across the Island.
Additional commissioning has increased NHS dental activity, while urgent care capacity has also been expanded. New oral health promotion programmes have additionally been introduced in schools to help improve children’s dental health in the long term.
Flexible commissioning arrangements have introduced a range of new measures, including additional urgent and out-of-hours appointments, dedicated urgent sessions for children, stabilisation clinics aimed at helping patients become dentally fit, and agreements allowing providers to deliver up to 110% of contracted NHS activity.
The Isle of Wight has also received a 48% increase in its Units of Dental Activity (UDA) rate in 2026, reflecting the challenges of providing dental care on the Island.
Extra investment has also been announced for orthodontic services, with increased capacity planned over the next three years.
Several workforce initiatives have also been introduced to help recruit and retain dentists on the Island. These include “Golden Hello” recruitment incentives, funded conscious sedation training places, and plans linked to the opening of Portsmouth University Dental School in October 2026.
Discussions are also taking place around creating a local training hub on the Isle of Wight.
Mr Quigley said:
“On the campaign trail in 2024, I lost count of the number of residents who shared their frustration at the quality of dental services on the Island. That’s why, when I was elected, improving access to NHS dentistry became a key priority for me.
“Since then, partners across the Island have grasped the nettle and, over the past 18 months, have made real progress in tackling these challenges.
“The announcement of a new dental training school in Portsmouth, and the opportunity to establish a hub on the Isle of Wight, is also very welcome news for Islanders and for the future of local oral health.
“This is an important start, and I will continue working closely with the ICB to drive further improvements.”
Alongside NHS services, charity Dentaid has continued to provide support to communities across the Island.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, Dentaid delivered 63 clinics, treated more than 430 patients and carried out over 2,000 treatments.
These included oral health assessments, cancer screenings, fillings, extractions and fluoride varnish treatments.
Health leaders say further work is continuing to improve prevention, expand capacity and ensure Islanders can access NHS dental care when needed.
Here he is again ye olde chocolate teapot with his private dental care provider in his pocket. How grateful should we all be to the yes man Quigerly for doing absolutely nothing apart from backing his dead duck leader. Can’t wait for the next general election get this clown out.
“Following the closure of the MyDentist practice in Freshwater, services have continued under Denbigh House”
Good that services for patients of Freshwater have continued but the article does not mention that Denbigh House is in Ryde.
I am with Damira in Cowes but they do not do orthodontics, in my case root canal treatment. I have had to take out a loan (£1300) for one tooth. I have a bone cyst so was referred for private treatment. I need a partial denture but have not been offered one. When I asked, I was told it isn’t urgent. My teeth are shifting because of the gaps. I cannot afford to borrow any more money. What now?
I moved to the Island two and a half years ago. It is fine making provision for existing patients but what about those who do not fall into this category. There is no NHS provision and the closest private dentist to my home in Totland Bay I have found who is taking new patients is in Wootton Bridge
You do know the island is smaller than some london boroghs, it is not as if you are travelling across time zones.