ADG believes “This must be the beginning of the journey to reform of NHS dental contracts”
The Association of Dental Groups has welcomed the publication today of the package of initial reforms to the NHS dental contract as a “first step on the road” to making it easier to access NHS care but warned that more still needs to be done on dental contract reform and recruiting dental professionals to ensure there is better provision of NHS dentistry in England.
Neil Carmichael, Chair of the ADG said;
“We have identified many parts of England which are becoming “dental deserts.” Parties across the political divide recognise the NHS dental contract is broken and needs full reform. These initial steps on the road to reform from NHS England should be welcomed as a sign that everyone is prepared to embark on that journey.”
“NHS dentistry had previously failed to fully utilise dental therapists who can support dentists with many routine treatments and prevention work to the level appropriate to their training and scope of practice. This was a waste of a highly trained workforce and we are pleased to see a recognition that better skills mix and use of the dental team can help widen access.”
“However, better use and incentives for the existing workforce will not alone resolve access to dentistry in the “dental deserts” of the East of England where the answer is that together with contract reform we also need to train and recruit more dentists.”