New group to improve NHS dentistry
A new government group has been set up to ensure that the Steele Review’s recommendations to improve NHS dentistry are implemented.
Prof Jimmy Steele led an independent review into NHS dental services and has now joined a group that intend to deliver the review’s recommendations.
Barry Cockcroft, chief dental officer, and chair of the General Dental Practice Committee John Milne will join him on the board.
The report, published in June 2009, recommended that there should be an increased access to NHS dentistry, an introduction of patient registration, measurement of the quality and quantity of treatments and more encouragement given to dentists to carry out preventative work.
Prof Steele said that he had worked extensively with patients, dental professionals and the NHS while compiling his review and claimed that he was pleased to be able to see through his recommendations.
He also emphasised the need for preventative services as he claimed that is the best way to keep people healthy.
Access to NHS dentistry has already begun to improve. Almost 1,200 more dentists are now working for the NHS than in 2008 and around 840,000 more patients visited a NHS dentist between September 2007 and September 2009 than between the same period ending in 2008.
More than £2billion has been invested to ensure that anyone who wants NHS dental care can access it by March 2011.
Cockcroft called prevention and quality two fundamental principles in modern NHS dentistry and said that Prof Steele’s recommendations were excellent.
Join this Discussion