Nigel Jones talks to stalwart of the profession, Michael Watson, about the future of the profession and his views on what NHS dentistry should look like.
With an almost 60-year career in dentistry, there was a lot to talk about when I sat down to speak with Michael Watson about the profession’s past, present and future.
So much so that we couldn’t fit it all into one article. You can read the first part of the interview where we discuss the recent past and present challenges of dentistry, here.
In this article, I bring you Michael’s views on the future of practice ownership, his thoughts on what the significant developments in dentistry will be, and what the future of NHS dentistry should look like…
What significant developments do you believe will happen in the future and what will the impact of these be and on whom?
Unless those in charge get a grip, the division between those who regularly attend the dentist and those who don’t will only widen.
People say we need a core service. While it may amount to a similar kind of system, what we need is to make sure that a child born in a deprived area has the same chance of reaching adulthood with all their teeth intact as a child born in an affluent area.
These are the people who will suffer unless developments are made in addressing this inequality.
The government talk about levelling up – this dental disparity has got to be addressed. We need to find new ways of communicating with younger patients and those who are hard to reach.
If we can think of new ways of working, of using the whole team, communicating better, giving people professionally interesting jobs, then there is a hope of people keeping all their teeth and NHS dentistry surviving.
What do you think practice ownership will look like in the future?
There needs to be a lot more co-operation than there currently is; we need to look at the medical model and the way they operate.
Part of the problem with independent practices is that you’re all competitors; you’re not running a relay, you’re running an individual race.
There are a lot of new models being tried out. However, I think we need a more formal arrangement of practices cooperating…but only time will tell.
What do you think NHS dentistry should look like in the future?
The NHS, ministers and the BDA all agree that a new contract for NHS dentistry is needed. With the end of the hated UDA system.
But it doesn’t suit the Treasury. The current system means they control the amount of money paid to dentists. This includes where it is spent, with money being recouped if targets are not met.
The last two years from the Treasury point of view have been a disaster. They have had to honour almost all contractual payments, supposedly ensuring associates’ incomes are maintained. They have seen patient charge income and claw back payments fall. So, they want to keep UDAs and ensure they are enforced at 100%.
My vision for the future would be an NHS which does not try to do everything for everyone with limited resources.
It would be one that:
- Targets those patients who do not/cannot attend regularly, especially the young and the old
- Uses the full resources of the dental team, hygienists, therapists and nurses
- Identifies those at risk of developing caries or periodontal disease. Then, arranges for them to be seen, not necessarily by a dentist or in practice
- Helps people to manage their own disease and interact with them in different ways.
It therefore goes without saying that it is free at the point of delivery. In addition, those working in it are basically salaried and there are no targets with financial penalties.
Thank you Michael for sharing your years of experience and knowledge, and for your thoughts on the future. As ever, it’s been an illuminating conversation.
Read part one of the Michael Watson interview.
For more expert comment on NHS dentistry and successful practice management via blogs, podcasts and webinars visit the Practice Plan media hub.
If you’re ready to speak to someone about a future outside of the NHS, you can call: 01691 684120 or book your virtual one-to-one virtual NHS to private conversation.
Going to the Dentistry Show London on 7-8th October? Why not pop by stand H42 for a chat?
