Pilots extended until 2015
Over 90 dental pilots have been extended until March 2015 the Department of Health has announced. It has also published Jimmy Steele's update on their progress. This report says that the new preventative approach is showing good clinical results. The focus over the next year will be to refine this approach. The BDA has commented that these issues require 'continued professional engagement'.
The BDA comment went on to say "Also identified are repercussions for use of skill mix in dentistry, with the important role of DCPs, including Extended Duties Dental Nurses, in the delivery of the care pathway the pilots are trialling, noted. Such arrangements present particular challenges for smaller practices, the report warns."