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DPAS plans the way forward
10th Apr 2007
Peter Ward was one of the main speakers at the conference
The chief executive of the British Dental Association and the chairman of the General Dental Practitioners’ Committee were among those discussing the future of advice given to NHS dentists at a recent conference in London. Peter Ward and Lester Ellman addressed delegates at the Dental Finance Conference, held at the majestic Naval and Military Club in St James’ Square, alongside Quentin Skinner and Richard George of DPAS Ltd, organisers of the event. The conference also included a talk by Andy Acton of Frank Taylor Associates and a discussion forum chaired by Stephen Noar, founder of Denplan Ltd and now non-executive director of DPAS. Financial planners, accountants, economists and representatives of other financial sector organisations concerned with planning for the fiscal future of dentists across the UK formed an engrossed audience as the respective speakers shared their experiences and viewpoints regarding what lies ahead for NHS dental practices. Taking in various subjects, from revenues and issues of practice goodwill to the implications of the new contract and PCT provision, high-value private treatment funding options, private plans and fee setting, the conference was aimed at both examining the issues facing those still practising within the NHS and, most importantly, the opportunities offered by the current climate. It was noted that many dentists working within the Health Service have undershot the delivery of their UDAs, raising the spectre of their funding becoming subject to clawback. Although the tone of the conference was one aiming to encourage dentists and practice managers to determine constructive solutions, the overall prognosis from the experts for those dentists remaining within the NHS framework was particularly bleak. Many agreed that the time is ripe to start preparing the move from the NHS at the earliest possible juncture. Peter Ward said: ‘UDAs have proven anything but unitary. They are abstract and fundamentally unfair. It was a dreadful thing to have been imposed. The new contract was introduced by the government in haste with an absence of proper consultation, and with an obscene ultimatum at the end of it. If a commercial company acted in this way there would have been hell to pay.’ He added that it has resulted in PCTS being under serious financial pressure, anxious about PCR shortfall and encouraged to have a positive imperative to favour fee-paying patients. Lester Ellman said ‘the only growth I can see is the private sector’ and set about explaining how financial planners could assist dentists in making the transition. ‘You need to plan for success,’ he said. ‘Going private takes a lot of courage for NHS dentists. They’re abandoning something they know – they may need some encouragement to take the plunge. Dentists have got to get their objectives clear and bring their teams on board.’ He spoke about the importance of explaining to patients the benefits a move to private would have for them, and that setting fees should be done at the very beginning. Timelines should accompany all objectives, the presentation of the practice and the staff should be uplifted while many dentists should look at upgrading their ‘soft skills’ in order to improve their communications with patients. Quentin Skinner, chief executive of DPAS, said: ‘It has never been our aim or approach to panic dentists into leaving the NHS, and we always stress that any decision regarding a practice’s future is dependent upon each individual set of circumstances and should be made with all the facts to hand. ‘Whether dentists stay within the NHS or move to independence, the purpose of this conference is to highlight that the path forward needs to be mapped in a responsible, well informed and supported manner. The “wait and see” approach is neither constructive nor tenable, and we seek to encourage those concerned with dentistry in the UK to develop a well considered and coherent strategy.’
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