Funding uplift = extra pressure

The department of health’s decision has this year been made without a recommendation from the doctors’ and dentists’ review body, following its decision to suspend DDRB’s role in determining pay settlements.

The Department of Health has also signalled that it intends to implement changes to the way that dental contracts are managed at the end of the 2013/14 financial year, although the details of these changes are yet to be published.

Dr John Milne, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said “While dentists understand the financial challenges facing the public purse that sit behind this decision, they also know that their practice expenses are continuing to escalate and that their professional lives are becoming ever more challenging.”

“Dentistry in England is facing an uncertain time with new commissioning arrangements being implemented in just a few weeks and new contractual arrangements being piloted.”

“Dentists are working hard not only to care for their patients today, but also to make these reforms work to build a better future.”