Steele Report Holds Key To Reform, Says BDA

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 21 Aug 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged the Department of Health to press ahead with consultation on the proposals put forward by Professor Jimmy Steele in his review of NHS dentistry following the publication of two reports today by the NHS Information Centre. The reports reveal a small increase in the number of patients able to access NHS dentistry in the six months up to 30 June 2009 and changes in the pattern of NHS dental treatment between 2003/04 and 2008/09.

John Milne, Chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee, said: "The continued increase in the number of patients able to access NHS dental care is good news for those who are benefitting from it. This increase must continue so that it recovers to pre-reform levels and starts to afford care to all those who wish to access it.

"These reports also highlight a change in the treatment patterns of care provided by NHS dentists, with decreases in the amount of many more complicated treatments compared to 2003-2004. This change is in line with the aim of the reforms to reduce the amount of complex treatments being provided. What today's figures don't show is the likely change in the make-up of the group of patients receiving care in 2008/09 compared to before the new contract was introduced. New patients have different oral health needs and the approach to prevention with these individuals and decisions about their treatment are clearly demonstrated in this report.

"What's important now is that the conclusions of the review of dentistry led by Professor Steele are properly consulted on. For the good of dentists and patients alike, the reforms arising from them must be piloted to deliver an NHS dental service that assesses dentistry in terms of the health outcomes it delivers and provides a quality service to all who use it."

Notes

1. Further information of the reports, NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2008/09 and Provisional Clinical Dental Report, England and Wales: Quarter 3, 31 December 2008 - Experimental Statistics, is available here.

Source
The British Dental Association