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BDA contract discussions continue
3rd Mar 2006
Rosie Winterton met with the British Dental Association (BDA) last week to discuss the NHS dental reforms. But the BDA's report of the meeting does not mention the principles that it agreed with said a Department of Health (DoH) statement. The BDA indicated that it supported the introduction of local responsibility for dental commissioning. It also suggested that abolishing the traditional fee-per-item payment system – and promoting a greater focus on prevention and oral health promotion was the way forward. The BDA also agreed that it was unacceptable for children to be seen as NHS patients on the condition that their parents pay privately, continued the statement. The Health Minister made the following points: · The Government has offered dentists a good deal - they will have a guaranteed income for three years, with average earnings around £80,000 (after practice expenses are taken into account), for at least 5% less work for those currently on GDS contracts · Early feedback from PCTs is that the great majority of dentists, especially those with a significant NHS commitment, will sign the new contracts · It was important for the BDA to explain to their members that it will not be possible to extend the deadline for dentists to take up the new deal beyond the end of March · If dentists have chosen not to take up a new contract at this point, PCTs will be expected to secure alternative sources of dental provision, using the funding freed up by any dentists who have not taken up the new deal · The DoH is confident that there will be other dentists who are happy to take up the NHS work on offer · The department is setting up a national implementation group to bring together key stakeholders including NHS, professional and patient representatives to review progress in the dental reforms and allow consideration of issues that arise during implementation. The BDA made it clear at the meeting that they had no objections to using Units of Dental Activity (UDAs) as a way of monitoring the levels of service provided said the report. The Minister explained that it was essential for both dentists and PCTs to have clarity regarding the level of service expected over the year. The Minister added that the BDA was overlooking the benefits of the new arrangements with promoting preventative care. She said: ‘The BDA made clear to us that they agreed with the main thrust of the essential reforms we are making. It is disappointing that in public they are choosing to paint such a negative and misleading picture. ‘I have invited the BDA to be part of an implementation group which will review the impact of the reforms and help ensure that the reforms are achieving their objectives. This will give us an opportunity to work together to put NHS dentistry on a proper footing and ensure the reforms benefit patients and dentists alike.’
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