Department of Health: Reforming NHS Dentistry
Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Committee of Public Accounts
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Published: 2005-07-14
Total Pages: 66
ISBN-13: 9780215025241
DOWNLOAD EBOOK →Traditionally dentists are independent contractors who choose where to locate their premises and how much NHS dentistry to provide. Over the past 10 years there has been an increase in the number of patients experiencing difficulties in accessing NHS dentistry and during this time there has also been pressure to reform the dental remuneration system. In 2003 major changes were announced in which Primary Care Trusts were to be given responsibility for commissioning NHS dental services and a deadline of October 2005 was set for implementing new contracts. This report looks at how the risks of the service are being managed including the mismatch between supply and demand, the ability of Primary Care Trusts to commission services and variations in oral health.