UK Government ambles while dentistry problems continue, says Consumers' Association

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 23 Aug 2004 - 14:00 PDT

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UK Consumers' Association (CA) warns it's too soon to claim victory as it could be years before consumers reap any benefit from government's proposals announced today on private dentistry.

While welcoming the thrust of today's proposed reforms, CA cautions that they do not go far enough to tackle the issues raised in CA's super-complaint to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) made almost three years ago.

CA has again highlighted the glaring need for decisive action and is reiterating the main areas which must be addressed by government:

-- Consumers are still not getting upfront detailed price information on the cost and nature of treatment

-- Dentists are not displaying indicative prices for common treatments to allow consumers to compare prices with other dentists

-- The private sector is continuing to benefit from the difficulties consumers experience in finding local NHS treatment

-- Private dentists are still not regulated in the same way as other private health services.

Frances Blunden, principal policy advisor, Consumers' Association, said:

"It has taken government far too long to act on the OFT's report, and we are still some time away from implementation of real changes that will benefit consumers.

"The planned complaints scheme for private dentistry and the requirement for all dentists to have liability insurance, promise much-needed change.

"We also still need effective ways of ensuring dentists on the ground actually comply with the regulations and consumers benefit from clear information about their treatment and prices. The best regulations in the world will make no difference unless properly monitored and action taken."

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