More than 60 dental practices around the country will be paid for keeping the nations’ teeth healthy, rather than just for treating problems as they arise. Health Minister Lord Howe visited Woodford Dental Care in Essex, one of those who have signed up, and spoke to staff about their practice.
Staff showcased the software they use to help patients through their care pathway and manage their oral health, which they described as ‘invaluable in making the pilots work’.
The new prototypes announced by Lord Howe are based on evidence from almost three years of piloting a preventative approach to dentistry – but for the first time introduce a brand new payment scheme.
The current UDA (Units of Dental Activity) system pays dentists based on the number of treatments they provide, across three different payment bands. The existing dental pilots have been paid for the number of patients seen. The new payment scheme will reflect the number of patients dentists see, the treatments delivered and the quality of the treatment provided. It will encourage dentists to focus on prevention as well as delivering any necessary treatment.
Health Minister Lord Howe said:
“The oral health of the nation has been improving year on year, with some of the lowest tooth decay rates in the world and ever more people accessing an NHS dentist.
“This is the next step in a seismic shift in dental care to a more preventative approach and paying dentists for supporting good dental health rather than just the number of procedures they undertake.”
Owner of Woodford Dental Care, Mr Len D’Cruz said:
"I am very pleased to have the opportunity to be a prototype in the move toward models of preventative care, an approach we have fully embraced from the outset.
"Our team has worked hard to make the pilot scheme work and will continue to help establish a system that is financially sustainable and ensures the best treatment for patients."
Background
The total expenditure on NHS dentistry was over 2.7bn in 2013/14. Dentists currently get paid for the amount of treatments they provide, the new system will pay dentists for the numbers of patients seen, treatments provided and the quality of care.