In fact, more than half of all respondents had ideas about how to improve the profession’s confidence in NHS dentistry other than through a change in contract, with over 30 per cent wanting more respect and support from the public, the GDC and the Government.
Speaking on this issue, Tony Kilcoyne, a dentist who works closely with the media, had this to say: “What we have is a profession that feels the NHS contract is out of their hands, so I was not surprised to learn that dental professionals are concerned about public perception of NHS dentistry and their role within it, but it nonetheless saddens me.
“As a dentist who is very involved with the media, I want to help to turn things around in terms of informing the public about not only just the problems in dentistry but also what dentistry has to offer the public with regard to general and dental health benefits. We need to go large in the media so that the public can realistically appreciate what their options are and what can be done preventively.”
In addition, the results show that the Government and GDC need to have a better understanding of what the dental profession is facing and offer greater support if morale among NHS dental professionals is to be improved, with a third of respondents counting these issues as significant elements in improving confidence among dental professionals.
Eliciting responses from almost 500 dental professionals, the survey also revealed the mood of the profession remains similar to previous findings, including:
• 90 per cent of team members are less confident in the future of NHS dentistry overall than they were 12 months earlier.
• 84 per cent of dental professionals are less confident about their career prospects within NHS dentistry than they were a year ago.
• 78 per cent are worried about their ability to offer their patients the right balance of treatment versus prevention in times to come under the NHS.
• 88 per cent have lost confidence that working within NHS dentistry will offer a fair level of remuneration in the future.
• 86 per cent expressed concern that they will be able to work effectively within the NHS framework as time progresses.
• 76 per cent are lacking confidence that patients will be happy with the outcome of attending an NHS dental practice in the future, when compared to 12 months earlier.
• 49 per cent of dentists are looking to retire between the ages of 51 to 60, with a further 32 per cent making plans to leave dentistry behind in their 60s.
• 69 per cent of dental professionals would not recommend a career in dentistry to a friend or family member.
Last but by no means least, when asked whether they were pleased to have entered the dental profession, 64 per cent of respondents reported to be happy to have done so, indicating that although the profession feels disillusioned, all members of the team still have a passion and belief in the service they provide to the general public.
Commenting on the latest results, Professor Nairn Wilson, former president of the General Dental Council and British Dental Association, said: “It is sad that public perception of the dental profession is negatively influenced by the ways in which contract restrictions adversely affect the care the dental team can provide to NHS patients. I share the view that, despite being disillusioned, members of the dental team have a passion and unswerving belief in the effectiveness and importance of the oral healthcare provision they are capable of delivering.”
The results of the latest survey will shortly be presented to an ‘Insights Panel’ made up of key opinion leaders and experts from the dental profession, who will then explore and debate their significance and their implications for the future of NHS Dentistry in front of a live audience at the BDIA’s Dental Showcase this October.
For detailed results from the last three surveys, as well as to gain access to the discussions from our previous Insights Panel meetings and interviews with our panel members, visit www.nhsdentistryinsights.co.uk