Nigel Jones speaks to John Renshaw about dentistry over the last 50 years and why he sees little hope for NHS dentistry sitting among the government’s priorities.
There are very few people still in and around dentistry with the experience of John Renshaw. He began his career in 1969 as an NHS dentist with no thoughts of offering private dental care at all. At the time he thought the NHS was, in his words ‘the best thing since sliced bread. The ability to provide first class healthcare to the whole population using a government funded umbrella organisation was very interesting to me’.
However, as he explains to Practice Plan’s sales and marketing director, Nigel Jones, in this wide-ranging podcast covering dentistry over the past 50 years, by the mid-1970s he had seen the wisdom of mixing private work with his NHS care.
He continued to have a foot in both camps until the Labour government introduced the current UDA contract in 2006. This heralded the end of his time providing NHS care and for the final 10 years of his career as a hands-on dentist he offered private treatment only.
As long ago as the late 1990s, John realised that dentistry was way down the list of priorities for the NHS. Now with crumbling estate and a staff recruitment and retention crisis, he sees little hope of NHS dentistry making its way any higher up the NHS’ or the government’s list.
Over the last 40 years its position as the big player in the game has now been usurped by private dentistry. In John’s view, the move into independent practise was not only a good idea, it was a defence mechanism as it allowed dentists to have a position at the table without being dependent on the NHS for funding.
As Nigel says, NHS dentists may not be in a position of strength when trying to negotiate a new contract however, private dentists now hold all the power. No longer price takers, they are now price makers. They just need to appreciate that.
If you’re considering your options away from the NHS and are looking for a plan provider who will hold your hand through the process at a pace that’s right for you, why not start the conversation with Practice Plan on 01691 684165 or book your one-to-one NHS to private call today practiceplan.co.uk/nhsvirtual.
For more information visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhs.Going to Dentistry Show London on 4-5 October? Join us on stand F32 for a chat!
