Dental Contract Failing To Improve Access To NHS Dentistry

Thu, 28 Aug 2008

NHS dentists and their patients are no better off now than they were two years ago – prior – to the NHS dental reforms, new reports by the NHS Information Centre have revealed.

The new findings show that problems still exist, with over one million fewer patients in England able to access NHS dentistry since the introduction of a new contract for dentists and patient charges in April 2006.

The number of patients accessing NHS dentistry in England in the two years up to 31 March 2008 was recorded at 27,049,000 – down from the 28,145,000 that were seen to in the previous two-year period.

The reports also suggest that the types of treatments patients are receiving are changing.

According to Susie Sanderson, chair of the British Dental Association’s Executive Board, the latest reports further highlight "the persisting problems" with the 2006 NHS dental reforms.

"More than a million people have now lost access to NHS dental care," she said. "Those that are able to access care are confronted with a system that discourages modern, preventive care by placing targets, rather than patients, at its heart . "

"This is difficult for dentists, who want to focus on providing the best possible care for their patients."

She added the Government must act on the findings of the reports and "resolve the issues facing NHS dentistry in England and Wales ".
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