Six years ago the Government forced changes of the dental profession. These changes have been lambasted by the dental profession and the health select committee. The same chief dental officer responsible for those changes is now conducting pilots to create yet another new NHS dental service. Being kind, you could say that he had learned his lessons and that would make him more capable. Naturally there is another school of thought which suggests the next contract will be anything but kind to his colleagues.
Given that the NHS dental services contribute only £4 out of every £10 banked by dentistry, an outsider could wonder why the tail is wagging the dog. The problem is that private dentistry lacks leadership. Since the BDA’s Choices programme 10 years ago there’s been no proactive initiative. Its General Dental Practitioners Committee has, over the course of the last nine years, failed to promote the development of private practice. The new BDA Principal Executive Committee has been remarkably quiet which is quite surprising. The chairman is noted for his experience in private practice and commercial understanding, however he and his committee have yet to make their mark.
Other players in the market include plan providers such as Denplan. They could easily create a vision of what private practice is and how to deliver it and yet they fail to do so. Practice Plan advocates the way forward for private practice is to understand the business of dentistry. While that may be true it’s not a natural direction for most dentists to follow. DPAS has always offered their services on a cost-cutting ‘cheap as chips’ basis, so it is perhaps not in a position to lead.
Who else does that leave? The BDTA has a vested interest in the growth of the private sector (which is set to double by 2020). However, to most dentists, it seems to focus on delivering tradeshows for the members and therefore have little relevance to the development of dentistry.
Is it any wonder, therefore, that there is a lack of confidence and low morale amongst the profession? Very few people believe that the new NHS contract will be generous. In fact even the corporates fear its impact on their bottom line. So NHS dentistry doesn’t appear attractive and the private sector is based on individual practice principals having the courage of their convictions to deliver dentistry as they believe that patients wish to buy it.
Perhaps that is where the answer lies. Instead of basing your career on the whims of third parties, is it not appropriate that if you should lie in your hands? For some people that’s a frightening prospect, however, it’s a heck of an opportunity and exciting to look at the trends in dentistry of what patients want and then organise your professional development to deliver it. I know this is not taught at dental schools, but you’re no longer in a dental school. Where are the growth areas in dentistry that you could move into – implants, endo, adult orthodontics, perio, sleep apnoea, snoring appliances? In non-clinical environment how about considering a position as a tutor, dento-legal advisor, VT trainer/ advisor or entering politics?
Dentistry, like life, is as good as you want to make it. Don’t wait for others to procrastinate or look after self-interests. Look after your patients doing what you enjoy and life will taste so much sweeter.