Government Urged to Recognise Pressures on Private Dentistry
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- Published: Thursday, 15 April 2021 07:33
- Written by Chris Tapper
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Denplan has launched its white paper on the Future of Dentistry and is urging policymakers to implement its proposals as soon as practicable.
The company is seeking a more sympathetic approach from the Government in recognising the pressures facing private dentists.
Denplan’s executive summary of the white paper has called for the Government to recognise the specific impact of COVID-19 on private dentistry, and the role played by private dentists in tackling the backlog of cases it has created.
Denplan says the Government should “Seek to work more collaboratively with the private sector to ensure common goals are met.”
The summary said “The last year has raised significant challenges to dental professionals, with the COVID-19 pandemic having exacerbated existing issues facing the sector, including by increasing financial pressures and mental health concerns on dental teams.”
“This is likely to have a lasting impact on the profession. Against this backdrop, late last year we carried out a survey of our member dentists to identify the biggest challenges and opportunities facing dentists themselves, as well as their patients, both in the short and longer term.”
Denplan carried out a survey of member dentists in 2020 to identify the biggest challenges and opportunities facing dentists themselves, as well as their patients, both in the short and longer term.
The survey was followed by a ‘roundtable’ discussion early this year with dental practitioners, academics and policymakers to further understand the impact of these issues on the sector.
Denplan said “Themes uncovered in our survey and discussed at our roundtable have formed the foundation of this report: understanding of private dentistry; the impact of COVID-19; the importance of good oral health; technology and innovation; and issues affecting the dentistry profession, such as mental health and wellbeing.”
“While we have identified significant challenges facing the sector, we also believe that there is reason to be optimistic about the future. Dentists and their teams are hard-working dedicated professionals, who want the best for their patients.”
Following criticism of the way Government announcements were made in the early days of the pandemic, the company has called for all future dentistry guidance, whether COVID-19 related or otherwise, to be issued by the appropriate national body with the relevant jurisdiction and be clearly applicable to mixed and private practices, not just those wholly working with the NHS.”
The white paper said that Government must enable dental practices to resume their full range of services in England and across the devolved nations as soon as is practically possible as well as playing an active role in communicating to the public, the importance of dental hygiene and routine examinations.
The white paper also says that private and mixed dental practices must not be excluded from the ongoing government financial support available to NHS practices.
Among other recommendations, the company has called for the VAT exemption for PPE to be extended to reduce costs for dentists as they attempt to support their patients throughout the pandemic.
“Government must work with the sector to safeguard the profession and ensure the workforce is resilient, supported and engaged. This must include increasing the numbers of placements, boosting financial support for dental students, and strengthening training and professional development that is available to dentists throughout their career.”
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