Sheffield Teaching Hospitals leads launch of South Yorkshire Paediatric Dental Surgery Hub to improve children’s oral health across the region
12 June 2025
The South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw paediatric elective surgical hub pilot launched on 11 March 2025 to provide essential surgical care for children requiring exodontia (tooth extractions). The hub is located in Doncaster and is led by specialist consultants in paediatric dentistry from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Developed by the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Acute Federation in collaboration with Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and other NHS Trusts across the region, this innovative pilot aims to enhance access to paediatric dental surgery for children across Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, and Barnsley.
Children in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw experience some of the highest rates of tooth decay in the country, often resulting in long waits for dental treatment under general anaesthetic. Research data, compiled before the introduction of the hub, indicated that additional appointments were needed to meet ongoing demand and alleviate waiting lists which can see some children waiting up to a year for treatment.
The Paediatric Dental Surgery Hub is being piloted as an elective surgery provision to improve dental health for children in the region, to clear the backlog of children and young people waiting for surgery, and to reduce the wait times for dental intervention surgery in the future.
By concentrating expertise and resources in one regional centre, the 12-month pilot will test the effectiveness of a dedicated hub model. If successful, it could become a permanent feature of the region’s healthcare services. Since launching, the hub has already treated over 100 children.
The hub model includes specialist assessments carried out at Montagu Hospital in Mexborough and surgical treatment at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, led by expert paediatric dental consultants from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Mona Agel, Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals and clinical lead at the hub, said:
“We are thrilled to launch this dedicated paediatric surgical hub to serve the children and families of South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw. Good oral health is crucial for a child’s overall well-being, and this hub will ensure that children receive the specialist dental care they need in a supportive and friendly environment, and in a timely manner.”
The launch of the Paediatric Dental Hub forms part of a wider initiative to improve overall health services for young patients in the region. The Acute Federation is working alongside hospitals in the region to transform other areas of children’s care including improvements to transition (moving from paediatrics to adult care), virtual wards for paediatrics and improving access to Ear, Nose and Throat services.
Children referred by their dentist or healthcare provider for tooth extraction in Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, or Barnsley can now be transferred to the hub for faster assessment and treatment.
