Improved Workforce Measurement Vital For Understanding NHS Dental Challenge, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 21 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed the announcement that the NHS Information Centre is undertaking a review of the way the number of NHS dentists in England and Wales is measured. The BDA will be responding to the consultation document placed on the NHS Information Centre website which looks at the different options available for counting and reporting the number of NHS dentists.

Dr Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said:

"The introduction of the new dental contract in England and Wales in April 2006 raised a number of issues about the way that the size of the dental workforce is measured. The BDA supports this review because improved knowledge of the workforce available is vital for a better understanding of the challenges facing dental care.

"The BDA will also continue to push for a full assessment of the size and capacity of the dental workforce and we hope this will be undertaken once this consultation on measurement is completed. A full workforce review is essential for effective local commissioning of dental care to meet the needs of patients."

1. Full details of the review are available http://www.ic.nhs.uk/dentalconsultation.

2. The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents over 20,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces.

British Dental Association

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