Care for all

Speaking at the 2013 British Dental Conference and Exhibition, John Milne, the Chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA’s) General Dental Practice Committee, said that the health needs of older patients are often currently understated. The new contractual arrangements, which are being developed by testing at approximately 100 pilot sites across England, must take proper account of this patients cohort’s needs if they are to be cared for effectively, he said.

Milne additionally warned that any evolution of the dental workforce must also take account of the needs of older patients, warning that the nature and pace of any change must be properly planned to meet the high demand for complex restorative dental care that is likely to continue for decades to come.

Milne said:

“Progress towards a new dental contract in England continues and GDPC continues to engage in its development, reminding Government of the importance of working constructively with the profession to deliver new arrangements that will work for patients and practitioners.