Ticking boxes

The 2006 dental contract has been deemed a failure in the eyes of many current National Health Service dentists.  The demands of the high needs patient and the rigidity of the system – making it very difficult to expand – are just two of the reasons why it is disliked. Recent changes in contracts being offered up and down the country, in the form of PDS plus, have also been criticised. The UDAs stay, but payment is now also attached to patient access targets and key performance indicators (KPIs)

For many in the profession, the review undertaken by Prof Jimmy Steele in his July 2009 Review of NHS dental services in England was seen as a bright light in the often derided NHS dental services.  Many hoped that was to be the way forward.

It has now been 12 months since the release of the report and the dentist at the coalface is still looking for changes whilst forced to deal with the UDA system. The Government has changed but as yet the old policies appear still to be in place.