British Detnal Association statement on dental patient charges

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 28 Jun 2004 - 16:00 PDT

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In response to media reports of an overhaul of dental patient charges, a spokesman for the British Dental Association said:

"At present, dentists are faced with a 90-page schedule of over 400 separate dental charges. Dealing with this complex system of red tape adds extra time onto the dentists' working day and takes them away from actually treating patients. Any new system that allows dentists to spend more time with patients, as well as making the system easier to understand for dentists and patients alike, is welcomed by the BDA."

The review of dental patient charges, which is being led by Harry Cayton, Director for Patients and the Public at the Department of Health, has yet to report.

The British Dental Association spokesman added:

"The current system of dental charges has been around over 50 years and will have to change when the Department of Health introduces a new dental contract. Whatever the outcome of this review, it is vital that the Department of Health finds an effective way of communicating any changes to patients."

http://www.bda-dentistry.org.uk