A new provider of orthodontic care for children is in place to help patients on the waiting list receive treatment straight away.

Currently 800 children are waiting for orthodontic care, according to the Department of Health and Social Care, which is looking to improve these figures through a new provider.

No new patients have begun treatment since the start of April 2016, unless serious treatment has been required.

However, the department is planning appointments for new patients to start straight away, beginning with the first 120 more urgent cases.

Regent Dental Care on Ridgeway Street in Douglas was awarded a contract by the department last week to provide orthodontic services for children.

Orthodontic treatment focuses on correcting irregularities of the teeth or jaw, as well as improving the function and appearance of the mouth.

Using braces and aligners, the treatment can fix crooked, crowded or protruding teeth, by setting them in the right place. These procedures can take years to complete.

This type of dental care is available for children under the age of 18, depending on the number of adult teeth they have, their oral hygiene and other specific requirements.

Regent Dental Care, which specialises in a range of dental care, will begin the service from Monday, October 30.

The company will be working closely with the department to ensure a smooth transition for patients who are continuing care, entering the service, or awaiting assessment.

Those currently receiving treatment with the DHSC’s specialist orthodontist will continue to receive care at the Central Community Health Centre on Westmoreland Road, Douglas, until the end of December.

After this point, any patients with ongoing assessment will be transferred to Regent Dental Care at its Douglas practice to continue with their treatment.

Those receiving service will be advised accordingly.

Patients who are waiting for treatment will be contacted shortly by letter to confirm arrangements for them.

As this will be a busy period for orthodontics, patients are asked not to contact the DHSC or Regent Dental Care at this stage.

Not all patients can commence treatment once Regent Dental Care begins this service, however children with the highest clinical needs will be seen as a priority.

Once patients with more pressing needs have been seen too, a regular flow of new patients will follow thereafter.

Anyone with concerns about their children’s teeth should contact their child’s regular dentist for advice.