BDA press release

*Half a million in England lose access to NHS dentistry*


Statistics published today by The Information Centre offer further evidence that the Government's 2006 reforms are failing to achieve their aim of improving access to NHS dentistry.

The figures show that more than half a million people across England have lost access to NHS dentistry since the implementation of reforms in April 2006.The statistics show that 27,602,000 patients were seen by an NHS dentist in England in the 24 months up to 30 September 2007, compared to 28,145,000 in the 24 months up to 31 March 2006, a reduction of 543,000 patients.

This figure is in addition to the approximately two million people that the Department of Health acknowledges wanted access but were unable to get it before March 2006.Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said:"Today's statistics offer fresh evidence that the Government's reforms to NHS dentistry have failed to achieve the stated aim of improving access to care for patients. The reforms have also failed to allow dentists to deliver the kind of modern, preventive care they believe their patients deserve."The loss of access to NHS dental care for half a million patients is a milestone in the failure of these reforms. It's time for the Government to start listening to patients and dentists and work with the profession to find constructive solutions to address the problems with these reforms."

Unfortunately the government won't listen because we don'y shout loud enough!!

Its that time of year again

Dentists will fall into one of two camps at this moment in time. there will those who will have pretty much done their UDA's (pronounced UDERS) and will be putting their feet up a bit, maybe going on holiday or just taking it easy. The other camp won't even be close to doing their UDA's and will be cramming whatever treatment they can through the door to make up the numbers.

For many patients, their experience of being treated in March will fall into, again, one of two camps. They either won't be able to get an appointment because their dentist is either full up or at UDA maximum, or they will be able to get an appointment, but it will entail sitting in a packed waiting room whilst the dentist runs late on his New Contract Treadmill.

Remember what I have always said on my website:

• If you are working more than 4 days a week chairside, you are doing something wrong
• If you are having less than 6 weeks `holiday, you are doing something wrong
• If you are routinely working into your lunch hour, you are doing something wrong
• If you are more than 2 weeks booked up, you are going to compromise your cash flow.... and guess what, that probably means you are doing something wrong :)

Nuff said

The LDC delegation meets the CDO

Some interesting little nuggets of information have surfaced from this meeting:

• There is a problem with LDC's funding
• Local Commissioning is here to stay with dentistry leading and the others in the NHS will follow.
• With regards to additional 11% uplift, this money is recurring and no defined timescale would be imposed by the DoH on PCTs in planning its use.
• Concern was raised that previous guidance on year end issues was largely ignored. Guidance is apparently a method where PCTs can act differently but have a coherent reason why, whereas direction is a "must do". In other words they have no set blueprint to follow. Interesting that RIngfencing is a Guidance and not a direction.
• "Access" has been defined as a service within reasonable distance from home of reasonable "quality". What the frak does that mean??????
• "Quality" was defined as appropriate treatment from an appropriate clinician in appropriate setting. Ok, that makes everything so much clearer. Phew, I was worried there. Damn it, they didn't define appropriate......... we could have gone on like that for hours!!!!!!!
• There was further denial of miscalculation of contract targets - so John Renshaw must be wrong then, although somehow I don't think he is.
• Apparently when in discussions with practitioners, PCT' s should take into account the practitioners experience and dedication to the NHS, and treat them as a valued resource. You know, I feel almost floaty having read that. I think I will find myself a field and dance among the flowers. PCT's may well treat GDP's as valued resources, but that isn't going to stop Clawback

Blah blah blah blah :)

As I said, you can stay in the NHS and deal with the regulations, the bloated buerocracy and the threat of Clawback and a PCT suddenlt strapped for cash........... or you can make your way to the Exit door. It's the one over there with the word PRIVATE written on it in large glowing Gold letters. Your choice..... BUT, also take account of the economic factors affecting this country. Going private at the hieghts of a recession, for example, may not be the wisest move.