The findings, released on the tenth anniversary (April 1, 2016) of the imposition of the disastrous NHS contract that saw 1m patients lose access to care, reveal significant problems across the service:
- 93 per cent of dentists report that chasing government targets is limiting their ability to care for high needs patients who require complex or repeat treatment.
- 83 per cent say the system is holding them back from preventive work.
- Nearly 70 per cent state that the contract is now limiting their ability to take on NHS patients.
- Over 85 per cent state it is restricting the time they can spend with patients.
The Government is now testing alternatives to the current contract, but remains wedded to models based on these discredited activity targets.
Leading dentists have now called on the Prime Minister to honour past commitments and ensure prevention is at the heart of any reform package.
Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said:
“The survey shows that those in most need have become the least welcome in NHS dentistry, thanks to a system that puts government targets before patient care. We are seeing the results of a conveyor belt model of provision that has left dentists without the time or the freedom to deliver the treatment their patients require.
“NHS dentists are still being forced to chase targets for curative treatment, rather than provide vital preventive care. This topsy-turvy system means dentists are paid the same for doing one filling or fourteen, and are routinely subsidising care for high needs patients out of their own pockets. We receive financial penalties when we don’t hit targets, receive no compensation when we exceed them, and have no scope to take on new NHS patients, even when we have capacity.
“This lost decade of chaos, shortage and compromise has failed patients and practitioners. Sadly, government has yet to show it’s willing to let go of these senseless targets. A watered down version of this failed contract isn’t progress. We call on ministers to live up to their rhetoric and put prevention first.”