Further Expensive GDC Research States the Obvious
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- Published: Wednesday, 07 August 2024 09:36
- Written by Peter Ingle
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The GDC‘s output of gratuitous research shows no sign of slowing down with their latest publication. It was introduced on their website in these terms: “GDC publishes new research on the public‘s experiences of dentistry.” It raises more questions than it answers.
This is not the GDC’s first effort in this area as they refer to previous studies in 2020, 2021, and 2022. The GDC say that the work: “Examines a variety of issues including access to, demand for, use of and access to services, affordability, and public confidence in dentistry.”
GDPUK readers will not be shocked to read that: “Many respondents reported notable difficulties in booking appointments, in securing a dental practice to visit regularly, and having frequent cancellations, particularly affecting younger individuals, ethnic minorities, and urban residents.” The GDC go on to produce more valuable insights including, that affordability remains a major concern, with the bonus observation that the cost of living crisis has exacerbated this issue.
The GDC’s research has even found out that some respondents have sought dental care outside the UK, and that this was primarily for cost-saving reasons.
The GDC seem quite pleased with these discoveries, quoting Stefan Czerniawski, Executive Director, Strategy, GDC: “This latest research provides comprehensive insights into the current state of dental care in the UK. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges facing dentistry and the need to make progress in addressing these systemic issues to improve access to timely appointments and the affordability of dental care across the UK.
“It is particularly concerning that the research shows clear evidence of patients’ concerns that the recovery of dental services after the COVID pandemic has not only stalled but may have gone into reverse. This has worrying implications for the oral health of patients and the public and needs urgent attention.”
The GDC note that they: “Commissioned Community Research for this study as part of its continued work to understand the public’s experiences of and views about dental services, which includes the ongoing impact of Brexit, COVID-19, and the cost-of-living crisis on the UK’s dental sector. The latest research involved an online survey of 2,415 individuals across the UK, with survey fieldwork taking place in January and early February 2024.” It will not have come cheaply.
This is another piece of vanity research that has been placed with one of the GDC’s fortunate band of beneficiaries. It was commissioned by an organisation that is virtually dentist free, and paid for by registrants. Some of whom, will have in the days before its publication, struggled to pay the very ARF that is used on projects like this. On the basis of their own published synopsis, it offers no new insights, indeed its key points will be well known to anyone who has either occasionally watched news bulletins, read a paper, or glanced at social media over the last three years.
Aside from the needless duplication, there is also the question of what this has to do with the GDCs actual task of regulating the profession. Mr Czerniawski knows very well that the GDC can do little to alter the systemic issues facing dentistry, apart from its dysfunctional regulator, which he failed to mention. His organisation can have minimal effect on providing timely appointments, making care affordable, or the recovery plan. If he wants to make a difference on those he might ask to be redeployed to NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care.
In a second story GDPUK will look at some of the questionable assertions and statements made in the body of the report, which suggest a deep lack of understanding of the broader subject.
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