Increasing skill mix
Creating a more varied mix of abilities and expertise in a practice can help improve patient care and overall efficiency. But such a significant change can be a daunting prospect if it has not been tried before. With the changes in NHS dental contracts ahead, broadening the mix of skill levels in practices is one possible way to better prepare.
An example of a practice that has benefitted from this kind of change is Wallsend Dental Practice, an IDH practice in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. It offers both NHS and Private dental care for patients in the area.
The idea of changing the mix of expertise in the practice came out of discussions with their IDH Area Manager. It was identified as a great alternative to help ease the burden on existing clinicians in the practice, without taking a new full-time clinician which would have increased the UDA burden on the practice overall. This means more experienced clinicians can be freed up for more complex cases and reduce patient waiting times.
In November, 2014, they took on a new therapist to work alongside and complement their existing clinicians, providing treatments such as extractions, fillings and other more routine treatments. In addition, new therapist Victoria Baguel is also available to undertake private air abrasion and hygiene work.
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