A greater emphasis on therapy-led dentistry was among the measures announced in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, but how will this work? Dental therapists share their thoughts.
Released on 3 July, the 10-Year Health Plan introduced several key changes for dentistry as part of the government’s future plans for the NHS. One of these was the introduction of a Neighbourhood Health Service bringing many sectors of healthcare including dentistry under one local system.
As part of this service, dental therapists will perform check-ups and treatments, referring to dentists only when the treatment is outside of their scope. The government said it hopes to make greater use of the wider dental team, particularly dental therapists.
We heard from five dental therapists on whether the 10-Year Plan will be effective in improving NHS dentistry and fair for the dental professionals working within it.
Cat Edney, dental therapist
‘The government has unveiled its new 10-Year Health Plan – a new NHS has arrived in the form of the Neighbourhood Health Service and unsurprisingly dental therapists are being seen as the saviour.’
I think we knew this was coming, and it is a welcome change from being ignored within healthcare policy for so many preceding years. The shift shows that shared care really is viable, makes sense and is the future: not only to us but to policymakers and business minds alike.
However: is this where the plan ends? Is this…
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