Independent Review of NHS Dental Services in England
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- Published: 02.07.09
- Updated: 03.07.09
In 2008 the House of Commons health select committee published a report that claimed access to NHS dentistry was deteriorating and recommended a re-think of the new dentist contract, which had been introduced in 2006. In response, the government commissioned Professor Jimmy Steele, a clinician and researcher in oral health services, to conduct a rapid and wide-ranging review of NHS dental services in England. This review reported in June 2009.
Here we offer a brief summary of the key recommendations of the review, together with an initial analysis of what these might mean for the NHS in light of other health care reforms.
Summary
The review team's recommendations include changes to the way dentists are reimbursed in an effort to incentivise continuity of care and quality together with the introduction of oral health assessments for patients and rewards for preventive advice.
Analysis
What will the review’s recommendations mean for NHS dentistry? How do they fit with other changes in the NHS?
