NHSE appoints to key recovery role after nine-month wait

Jason Wong, the interim chief dental officer since July, has been named the substantive postholder following a two-month recruitment process. He was deputy chief dental officer prior to this, appointed in the summer of 2020, and has worked in dentistry for nearly 30 years. 

Dr Wong has also previously chaired local dental networks across parts of the Midlands and the East of England and was secretary of the Lincolnshire Local Dental Committee for 16 years. He was awarded an MBE for services to dentistry and oral health in 2020.

It comes amid a major crisis in access to NHS dentistry; with people in many areas unable to get treatment. HSJ revealed last month that several integrated care systems were struggling to deliver more than half the NHS dental appointments they had hoped for in 2023-24, and all were lagging behind targets. The government launched a much-delayed recovery plan in February.

His appointment means the substantive post has been filled for the first time since last June when Sara Hurley stepped down after eight years in part to focus on several non-executive board roles.

The job description for the role, which was advertised in February, said the postholder should be “constantly striving for value for money and greater efficiency” in the use of budgets, and also described risk management, culture change and performance monitoring responsibilities.

NHS England said Dr Wong will “work in partnership with local and regional teams across the country to deliver improved outcomes for patients” and “set the strategic vision for England’s oral health and a system-wide approach” to improve services. He will retain a day in clinical practice.

Dr Wong said he is “very proud” of the appointment, adding: “It’s a challenging time for NHS dentistry and I know there is more to do to recover and improve services for patients”.