New dental system to be piloted in the UK

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A new NHS dental system will be piloted across the UK next year, as the government tries to find ways to improve access to NHS dental services.

The dental contract introduced by Labour in 2006 has failed in many respects and dentists have been campaigning for a new system; the new government recognised the need for a shake-up in the system and will now trial new systems to try and improve access to dental services and improve dentist’s morale.

The 2006 dental contract was based on a system of payment per course of treatment and many minsters have criticised the system, which caused many dentists to turn away patients half way through the year because they had reached a pre-determined quota and contributed to a ‘fill and drill’ culture, which pressurised dentists into providing as many treatments as possible.

The new system, which was originally proposed by Newcastle University Professor, Jimmy Steele and announced by Labour in 2009, involves dentists being paid according to the size of patient lists and the treatments undertaken by dentists. Up to 60 pilot projects will now be rolled out across the country in the new year.

The change of policy has been welcomed by dentists; Dr John Milne, from the British Dental Association, said that the announcement was welcomed by dentists. The 2006 contract has failed both patients and dentists, according to the BDA and dentists are pleased that the government has recognised that something needs to be done to improve NHS dental services and allow dentists to focus on their job.

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