Dentistry’s hottest topics debated

The NHS contract reform is a hot topic in dentistry today, with many professionals differing in opinion as to the success of the pilot process so far. While progress has been made and the prototypes are of course set to be rolled out in the next few months, it remains clear that several areas still need to be addressed in order to encourage success of the reformed contract in the future.

Affecting all members of the dental team, profession and industry, the contract reform was a key topic explored in the GDP Theatre at The Dentistry Show 2015. An open debate session was held by the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF), led by a panel of professionals who represented various different areas of dentistry. The panel consisted of Ben Atkins, BDHF Trustee and Principal of a pilot practice; Rebecca Harris, Professor / Honorary Consultant, Oral Health Services Research, University of Liverpool; Steve Williams, Clinical Services Director of the IDH Group; Dr Tony Kilcoyne, Dentist and Principal of a private practice in Yorkshire; and John Milne, National Dental Advisor for CQC.

Once Ben had welcomed delegates in attendance and noted the absence of representation from the Department of Health (in light of the forth-coming General Election), each of the panel members took to the podium to share their views of the contract reform. Rebecca offered the perspective of a public oral health dentist, raising concerns over whether patient access to NHS dentistry can be increased while meeting the financial restrictions imposed on Government spending.

Steve then spoke on behalf of a dental corporate, commenting that it was the responsibility of the profession to continue driving the pilots, and that they should share their experiences throughout the process so as to help create the best possible system.

Next, Tony very passionately shared his views, making the point that dentists providing NHS dentistry lacked sufficient time to deliver quality services to the quantity of patients they were expected to see. He emphasised the need for clarity both amongst the profession and public regarding which services are available on the NHS, and highlighted the importance of increased communications between the two.

Finally, John questioned the Government’s ambition to change the system, suggesting that those patients with the greatest needs are the least welcome in a practice under the current contract.

Following all this, delegates then had the opportunity to raise their own worries and ask the panel for their thoughts. Key areas brought to the floor included the dangers of reduced teamwork and the need to utilise the skill mix within a practice efficiently. Delegates also voiced concerns about whether expected standards would continue to rise in the future, how to protect patients from neglect under the proposed reformed contract and how Government cuts would affect NHS Dentistry.

All in all, the very interactive session highlighted two main points – there are still a lot of questions and uncertainties that need to be addressed before the NHS dental contract is perfected, and perhaps we as a profession should making more noise about it.

The Dentistry Show and DTS 2016 – Friday 22^nd and Saturday 23^rd April – NEC in Birmingham. For more information please visit www.thedentistryshow.co.uk, call 020 7348 5269 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.