THE senior officer of the regional NHS has backed up comments made at a Thurrock Council meeting when he spoke about the improvement in dental care in Thurrock.

Tom Abell, Chief Executive Officer at NHS Essex, spoke at last week's meeting of the Thurrock Health and Well-being when he informed dentistry in Thurrock – which not so long ago was in dire straights, is now 'very good'.

In September last year Thurrock Nub News reported the borough had the fewest number of dentists per head of population in Essex, but there have been steps forward since then.

Mr Abell said: "Dental services in Thurrock have improved since responsibility for dental commissioning transferred to the local NHS in April 2023, but we know there is still more to do to ensure everyone can access the care they need.

"As part of our wider commitment to make health services better in Essex, we have taken a number of steps to increase access to NHS dentistry in Thurrock. This includes supporting the opening of a new dental practice in October 2025 and increasing the number of NHS dental appointments available across 17 local practices by more than 21,000.

"We have also introduced programmes aimed at improving oral health and preventing problems before they develop. This includes a pilot programme in local schools and a project supporting 28 care homes with on-site oral health assessments and treatment where needed.

"Working with Community Dental Services, we have also helped ensure people with more complex dental needs can access the right care and support.

"While these improvements are encouraging, we recognise that access to NHS dentistry remains a challenge for some in Essex. We will continue working with local dental providers and partners to improve access, reduce inequalities and develop services that better meet the needs of local communities."

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A new NHS dental practice opening in Grays earlier this year.

Grays Dental Care, delivered by DentistryForYou in partnership with NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), opened with five modern surgeries and two newly recruited dentists on Milton Road.

The practice provides 5,000 NHS dental units in its first year, increasing to 10,000 per year thereafter — a major step forward for a community that has faced long waiting times and limited access to NHS dental care.

And in March a private practice also opened up in Grays town centre.

Background:

• In 2023/24 the 17 dental practices in Thurrock delivered 177,894 dental appointments, increasing to 187, 846 in 2024/25. Initial figures suggest that 2025/26 figures have exceeded the target, with dental practices in Thurrock delivering 194,584 last year.
• Two practices are offering evening, weekend, and bank holiday cover, delivering 3,610 additional appointments since June 2025, although 476 were booked but not attended.