The profession has argued that reforms to NHS dentistry in Scotland fall short of the changes required to make the service.
Announced today, a reformed payment system will be rolled out in Scotland from 1 November 2023.
This includes changes to the fees provided for many treatments. It will see the number of items on the ‘menu’ at dental practices slimmed down to 45 codes down from around 400.
The British Dental Association (BDA) had stressed that surging costs had left practices delivering some NHS care at a financial loss. This is particularly true, it argues, for items like dentures that require laboratory work. These have seen significant increases in fee levels.
Different options
However, the professional body has stressed reforms offer ‘no fundamental changes’ to the current model of care.
The Scottish parliament COVID-19 Recovery Committee recently concluded its inquiry into the recovery of NHS dentistry, including a recommendation that the Scottish government provide costings for – and consults on – different service model options.
This includes those that it does not prefer, in partnership with the sector, so that the opportunity is not missed to consider a full range of options.
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Secured improvements
David McColl is chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee. He said: ‘We’ve secured some improvements, but the fundamentals of a broken system remain unchanged.
‘The Scottish government have stuck with a drill and fill model designed in the 20th century. They were unwilling to even start a conversation on making this service fit for the 21st.
‘Ministers cannot pretend this is a final destination for NHS dentistry in Scotland. We struggle to see how these changes alone will close the oral health gap, end the access crisis or halt the exodus from the NHS.’
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