Preventive treatments should be at the heart of NHS dentistry

NHS dentistry
The government needs to put preventive treatments at the heart of a new dental contract, the BSDHT has said

NHS dentistry is failing patients most in need due to the targets placed upon them, the BSDHT has claimed.

Responding to the British Dental Association’s (BDA) announcement, the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) has highlighted how the government needs to make preventive treatments the focus for the new NHS dental contract.

‘It’s an incredibly sad reflection on the current state of NHS dentistry when so many dental professionals who try to provide quality treatment are feeling their hands are tied,’ Michaela ONeill, president of the BSDHT, said.

‘It can’t be satisfying knowing that their careers and ability to treat patients effectively is being constantly hampered due to a restrictive and unworkable contract that is forced upon them.

‘If these restrictions persist it begs the question what will happen in the future of NHS dentistry?

‘When it comes to their new contract, the government simply must put prevention at the heart of it if they are to make any difference to the state that we find dentistry in today.

‘Only through a focus on prevention will we be able to give dental professionals the opportunity to stop problems before they exist and free up time to treat those with more complex needs which need further time to address.’

Michaela ONeill went on to explain how the government should utilise the skill mix of dental professionals, allowing hygienists and therapists the opportunity to open a course of treatment.

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