Almost 70 dental practices in England are to trial changes to the NHS dental contract from today.
A total of 68 pilot sites have been selected from those practices that applied. They will test changes to the contract which it is hoped will encourage greater patient access and preventive work.
Dentists have complained that the current contract is too narrowly focused, paying them only for the treatment they carry out, rather any preventive treatment they may wish to perform.
The changes being piloted will see dentists paid for the number of patients they care for and the dental health results they achieve.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: ‘The government believes dentists should get paid for the quality of treatment they provide rather than simply for the number of treatments. This is not only better for patients, but also a better use of NHS resources.’
Dental health expert Professor Jimmy Steele, who led an independent review of NHS dentistry, said: ‘It is vital that any further changes to dental contracting are piloted prior to the introduction of a new dental contract. It is heartening to see the profession engaging so positively in the pilot process.
‘Oral health has improved, but the risks of decay and gum disease are still high for many people. It is now time to focus attention on achieving healthy mouths as our outcome and not just volumes of treatment provided.’
Dr John Milne, chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: 'The dental contract introduced in England in 2006 has been bad for patients and dentists alike. Based on an untried and untested system of Units of Dental Activity, it has put targets ahead of health, when health should be the target. In taking that approach it has failed to promote the modern, preventive approach to care that dentists want to provide and which patients would benefit from.'
Milne added that the introduction of the pilots was a positive step that needed to be given time to produce meaningful results.
