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The New Dental Contract-’Full of Holes and Causing Pain’. A Patients Association Report- 2008. Methodology . In 2008 The Patients Association surveyed every Primary Care Trust in England, to assess the impact of the new dental contract.
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The New Dental Contract-’Full of Holes and Causing Pain’ A Patients Association Report- 2008
Methodology • In 2008 The Patients Association surveyed every Primary Care Trust in England, to assess the impact of the new dental contract. • We did so because in 2007 we surveyed Members of Parliament about the top three health concerns of their constituents, with dentistry topping the poll.
Funding • The majority of PCT’s said that they are happy with the level of funding. • 87% said that funding was ring fenced. • However PCTs complained about a widespread lack of funds for orthodontics and other specialist treatments.
Access • On average around 50% of PCT patients were receiving NHS dental care. • There was concern about the preventative role of dentistry in combating oral health disease. This role requires patients that are in regular contact with a dentist.
Complaints • Complaints had risen in 55% of PCT’s following the introduction of the new contract. • The report attributed this to confusion amongst patients with regards to the new charges and access arrangements set out in the contract.
National Dentistry Service? • The report concluded that: “The mixed bag of access to service, emergency and out of hours care, and preventative campaigns revealed in this survey does not constitute a National Health Service for Dentistry.”
Patient Association Call to Action • Examine the co-payments system for dentistry as the basis for expanding the availability of treatments elsewhere in the NHS • Give patients the same level of preventative care as planned for other NHS specialists-ensuring problems diagnosed earlier. • Remove the post code lottery for patients. • Ensure PCT’s and patients are fully aware of important changes to their service. • Ensure the same level of coverage and availability for special treatments as elsewhere in the NHS • Require PCT’s to ensure dentists comply with the latest infection control guidance.