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Care pathways for paediatric dentistry services in England: a mapping study
Emma Morgan1, Deborah Moore2, Louise Oni3
1School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom. Emma.Morgan@liverpool.ac.uk.
British Dental Journal
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Paediatric dentistry services in England show significant regional variations, leading to inconsistent care pathways for children. Recommendations aim to improve equitable access to specialist dental care across all regions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Healthcare Management
- Public Health
Background:
- National Health Service (NHS) England has a clinical standard for specialist pediatric dental care.
- Evidence indicates national inconsistencies in delivering pediatric dentistry services.
- Existing care pathways for accessing pediatric dental services require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate current pediatric dentistry care pathways for children in England.
- To identify variations in service delivery across different regions.
- To inform recommendations for equitable service provision.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing semi-structured interviews with Managed Clinical Network (MCN) chairs.
- Virtual interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed.
- Process mapping was used to visualize care pathways from Level 1 to Level 3b services.
Main Results:
- Most English regions have an active MCN.
- Few regions utilize centralized, specialist-led triage or electronic referral systems.
- Service complexity varies significantly, often due to limited specialist availability.
Conclusions:
- Significant regional disparities exist in pediatric dentistry care pathways.
- Few regions align with the established clinical standards for pediatric dentistry.
- Recommendations are proposed to ensure equitable delivery of services nationwide.
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