The 43 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) appear to have adopted 43 different approaches to commissioning in the fragmented world of NHS dentistry. Appearances matter, and ICB‘s will be very conscious of the optics of how they are seen to manage dental access.
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Whilst an estimated thirteen million adults are unable to access NHS dentistry*, dental plan provider Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has published the results of a survey which reveal that 61% of patients who do access NHS services ‘would consider‘ going private.
Read more: 61% Of NHS Patients 'Would Consider' Private Alternatives
Healthwatch Trafford has issued a warning to patients about a website offering to make NHS dental appointments. The site uses similar colours to NHS branding and in return for upfront payment says it will find and make an appointment with an NHS or private dentist.
Read more: Healthwatch Exposes Scam NHS Appointments Website
GDPUK aims to celebrate the full range of dental general practice and the anything but mundane lives of many ‘typical‘ dentists. From Liverpool to London to New Zealand, with stops in Thailand, India, and a selection of disaster scenes, dentist Vivienne Levy, has had a particularly eventful journey through her dental career. Patients at her suburban practices may not have known that she has been involved in rather more than ‘routine‘ dentistry.
It was a turbulent week at the Labour Party Conference. Having swept to power with a majority of 174 seats over all the other parties, Keir Starmer‘s first conference as Prime Minister could, indeed ‘should‘ have been a victory celebration.
Read more: Could Non-Doms Undermine Labour's Dental Appointments Plan?
Parliamentary dental questions tend to be on a limited range of subjects. Access problems, potential reforms and initiatives, and a certain amount of sectarian point scoring, are frequent topics.
A recent question in the Lords which is likely to have escaped the dental community‘s notice, broke new ground. It might also be revealing about a rapidly growing party‘s intentions for dentistry.
Read more: Odd Question in Lords' about Surgery Sundries Profits
As NHS dentistry fades away local government may start taking legal action against ICBs.
The Isle of Wight Council is threatening legal action over the Island‘s ‘grossly inadequate‘ NHS dental care provision. Following a vote at a recent Council meeting in Newport, the Council has said that it intends to hold the ICB to account for its responsibility in ensuring NHS dental services are provided to an adequate standard.
The Chief Executive of the General Dental Council (GDC) Tom Whiting has lent his support to the Association of Dental Group‘s (ADG) ‘Patients First‘ report.
The ADG is a trade association for dental groups with more than ten practices. Its report, launched on 11th September, contains seven recommendations which the group says would improve access to dental services.
Read more: GDC Boss Hails The Regulator's Progress On Access