British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) responded to the package of initial revisions to the NHS dental contract by welcoming this as the first step towards dental reforms – but insisting that the next stage needs to go further.
England’s chief dental officer, Sara Hurley and Ali Sparke, director for dentistry, community pharmacy and optometry, NHS England published the initial stage of NHS dental contract revisions. Their focus is to address the challenges associated with delivering care to higher needs patients and improving patient access to NHS dental services.
It is understood that this is the first of a series of reforms over time, so whilst BSPD welcomes this announcement today, the society believes that it is important that the voices of children and parents are heard in the next stage.
Professor Claire Stevens CBE, BSPD Spokesperson said, “BSPD recognises that as the first step towards dental reform, the revisions to the NHS dental contract are heading in the right direction. We hope these first stages will help children in areas of high need and those from disadvantaged groups. It is important that every child has a dental home – an ongoing and preventively focused relationship with their oral healthcare team, beginning with a DCby1 (Dental Check by One). We would like to see further contract reform that incentivises evidence-based interventions or moves more towards a capitation-based system for children and young people. We remain able and willing to join future discussions, continuing our advocacy for children and young people.”