Harrow has the fifth lowest rate of dental access for children in North West London, according to a recent report discussed at the North West London Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The report was prompted by increasing concerns regarding the accessibility, equity, and effectiveness of dental services for children and young people, particularly in the context of post-pandemic recovery, rising oral health inequalities, and the evolving commissioning landscape under Integrated Care System (ICS) arrangements.

The Dentist Commissioning and Children's Dental Health report [Item 5 Main Report NW London Dentist Commissioning Report] examined dental provisions across the North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and found disparities in access and oral health outcomes for children. The report was requested due to concerns about the accessibility, equity, and effectiveness of dental services for children and young people.

Bar chart showing dental access for children aged 0-17 in London in 2022/23, broken down by borough and ICB.
Bar chart showing dental access for children aged 0-17 in London in 2022/23, by borough and ICB.

According to the report, the ranking of local authorities in North West London ICB from lowest to highest dental access for children is:

  1. Westminster
  2. Kensington and Chelsea
  3. Hammersmith and Fulham
  4. Hillingdon
  5. Harrow
  6. Brent
  7. Ealing
  8. Hounslow

The report also included data on adult dental access, where Harrow ranked fourth lowest in North West London.

Here is a comparison of the ranking of local authorities in North West London ICB from lowest to highest dental access for children and adults:

Children

  1. Westminster
  2. Kensington and Chelsea
  3. Hammersmith and Fulham
  4. Hillingdon
  5. Harrow
  6. Brent
  7. Ealing
  8. Hounslow

Adults

  1. Kensington and Chelsea
  2. Hillingdon
  3. Westminster
  4. Harrow
  5. Brent
  6. Hounslow
  7. Ealing
  8. Hammersmith and Fulham

Despite Harrow's low ranking, the report noted that North West London was one of the highest performing ICBs nationally. This performance has been enhanced by commissioning additional activity and the New Patient Premium (NPP).

The report stated that the commissioning of additional capacity from general dental practices is being implemented again during 2025/26, targeting areas of highest need using public health data on oral health inequalities. The report also noted that this was especially important given that the NPP had been discontinued.

Map of existing and proposed additional capacity for NHS dental providers across North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB).
Map of existing and proposed additional capacity for NHS dental providers across North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The report recommended that providers in Roxeth, Harrow, have additional NHS dental activity. Roxeth has the highest average prevalence of decay in the ICB and a low average number of UDAs commissioned per person, but an average ratio of dental practices per population.

The report also included data on dental access for both children and adults at a local authority level in London, with differences in the ranking of local authorities for adults and children.

The report recommended that NHS dental services should be commissioned as part of a whole integrated primary care and a public health approach in improving population oral health.