New dental pilot practices

There are now 90 dental practices across the country helping to test different elements of the new contract. These sites will look at preventative oral health with a focus on better results for both adults and children.

Speaking at the Local Dental Committee conference, health minister Lord Howe said:

“I am pleased to announce a further 20 dental practices have now joined our dental programme. The insight and feedback we are gathering from all the pilot sites is proving to be invaluable in shaping the future dental contract.

I would like to thank those taking part for the excellent work which has been carried out so far.”

The pilot sites are looking at how dentists can be paid on the basis of the health results they produce rather than the number of treatments they carry out. The sites are also testing out different care pathways, with a greater emphasis on prevention, and where patients receive a more personalised care plan to improve their dental health in the long term.