According to a Department of Health and Social Care statement, dental hygienists could be granted the authority to administer more treatments.
The department will launch a consultation to consider how dental hygienists and therapists “can be better supported to provide additional care to patients and reduce unnecessary delays.”
It will build upon the government's Long Term Workforce Plan to utilise the skills of the dental team to free up time for dentists to carry out appointments and clinical services. Under the plans, dental therapists and hygienists would be able to “supply and administer specific medicines under exemptions without the need for a prescription.”
Neil O’Brien, the minister for primary care and public health, said, “We want to make sure we are making the best use of skilled professionals such as dental hygienists and pharmacy technicians while at the same time freeing up dentists and pharmacists to carry out vital services. The reforms we propose today are crucial in achieving this.
“We have so much skill and experience within our surgeries and pharmacies and by better using technology, transferring services and cutting bureaucracy we will have a more efficient and effective service.”