62 practices to trial new dental contract
This summer, for the first time, dentists will be paid for the quality of treatment they give rather than the number of treatments provided. Health minister Lord Howe announced that 62 dental practices have been selected to trial a new dental contract that will help improve outcomes for patients. The trials are being carefully designed to improve the quality of patient care and increase access to NHS dental services with the added objective of improving the oral health of children.
This is part of the Government’s wider plans to modernise the NHS with a relentless focus on improving the quality of care and patient outcomes.
The new contract will be based around capitation, registration and quality. A new emphasis on quality, and guidelines on how to deliver it, will support dentists to improve the oral health of their patients, while the focus on registration will give patients the security of continuing care.
Three different models will be piloted across England starting in the summer. Each model will be slightly different in order to provide information and evidence on various aspects of the proposals, this will help better inform the development of the new national contract.
Health minister Lord Howe said:
‘We all want good teeth and good oral hygiene. That’s why we want our dentists to get paid for the quality of treatment they provide rather than for the number of treatments, as is the case now.
Register now to continue reading
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Unlimited access to the latest news, articles and video content
-
Monthly email newsletter
-
Podcasts and members benefits, coming soon!