Ring in the changes

Is it time for you to make that first important phone call of 2010?

As we enter yet another New Year, many of us will have been troubled by thoughts of the dreaded ‘New Year resolution’ a life changing resolve that hopefully means we won’t all be on the same treadmill for the next 12 months. Of course, this year is slightly different to 12 months ago when we were in the full face of ‘recession blues’ but at least there was an element of certainty in that situation. This year we face the prospect of an ‘Are we, aren’t we?’ situation. Depending on which side of the political divide you sit – or rather which newspaper you read, the economic predictions for the coming year are very different.

So does this matter to a National Health Service dentist whose practice remains reasonably busy with a contract intact? So long as targets are met, surely the future looks, if not dazzling then certainly reasonably bright? For some, of course, the NHS works supremely well, it provides stable income and has an element of security and predictability. However, 2010 will be an election year and whatever the eventual colour of the Downing Street carpets, the incumbent will have to deal with the ever increasing national debt. This in turn will certainly affect NHS funding and where dentistry will come in that pecking order is anyone’s guess.