Changes designed to improve NHS dental services have not been successful, a report by MPs says.
Changes designed to improve NHS dental services have not been successful, a report by MPs says.
The new contract, introduced in England in 2006, was intended to simplify dental charges, and make it easier to find an NHS dentist.
The new contract, introduced in England in 2006, was intended to simplify dental charges, and make it easier to find an NHS dentist.
The Commons Health Committee said access remained "patchy" and there had been a sharp fall in the number of complex procedures.
The Commons Health Committee said access remained "patchy" and there had been a sharp fall in the number of complex procedures.
The Department of Health insisted the reforms were beginning to work.
The Department of Health insisted the reforms were beginning to work.
While we readily accept that in some areas of the country, provision of NHS dentistry is good, overall provision is patchy Kevin Barron MPHouse of Commons Health Committee
While we readily accept that in some areas of the country, provision of NHS dentistry is good, overall provision is patchy Kevin Barron MPHouse of Commons Health Committee
The new contract, under which patients paid fixed charges for particular types of procedure, also gave local primary care trusts the power to commission and pay for dental services.
The new contract, under which patients paid fixed charges for particular types of procedure, also gave local primary care trusts the power to commission and pay for dental services.
It has now been rolled out to cover Wales, although the report only deals with progress in England.
It has now been rolled out to cover Wales, although the report only deals with progress in England.
Nationally, fewer patients are visiting NHS dentists than before April 2006, when the contract was introduced, the report said.
Nationally, fewer patients are visiting NHS dentists than before April 2006, when the contract was introduced, the report said.
In the first year of the contract, the number of complex treatments which involve laboratory work was halved, and the number of root canal treatments fell by 45%. Both of these attract higher fees under the new scheme.
In the first year of the contract, the number of complex treatments which involve laboratory work was halved, and the number of root canal treatments fell by 45%. Both of these attract higher fees under the new scheme.
The committee said there were concerns that some patients were not getting the complex treatment they needed.
The committee said there were concerns that some patients were not getting the complex treatment they needed.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, not covered by the changes, the number rose.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, not covered by the changes, the number rose.
No pilots
No pilots
The committee also heard fears that the changes had not stemmed the exodus of NHS dentists into private-only practices, although the Department of Health said that was unlikely.
The committee also heard fears that the changes had not stemmed the exodus of NHS dentists into private-only practices, although the Department of Health said that was unlikely.
It highlights the failure of a farcical contract that has alienated the profession and caused uncertainty to patients Susie SandersonBritish Dental Association
It highlights the failure of a farcical contract that has alienated the profession and caused uncertainty to patients Susie SandersonBritish Dental Association
Committee Chairman Kevin Barron MP said: "It is disappointing that so far the new contract has failed to improve the patient's experience of dental services.
Committee Chairman Kevin Barron MP said: "It is disappointing that so far the new contract has failed to improve the patient's experience of dental services.
"While we readily accept that in some areas of the country, provision of NHS dentistry is good, overall provision is patchy."
"While we readily accept that in some areas of the country, provision of NHS dentistry is good, overall provision is patchy."
He criticised the Department of Health for not piloting the new contract on a smaller scale prior to introduction.
He criticised the Department of Health for not piloting the new contract on a smaller scale prior to introduction.
The committee called on the government to improve PCT commissioning, and review the "units of activity" system to make sure it rewarded dentists for choosing the most appropriate treatment.
The committee called on the government to improve PCT commissioning, and review the "units of activity" system to make sure it rewarded dentists for choosing the most appropriate treatment.
'Farcical'
'Farcical'
Susie Sanderson, from the British Dental Association, described it as a "damning report".
Susie Sanderson, from the British Dental Association, described it as a "damning report".
The focus and funding is already starting to show results Department of Health
The focus and funding is already starting to show results Department of Health
She said: "It highlights the failure of a farcical contract that has alienated the profession and caused uncertainty to patients.
She said: "It highlights the failure of a farcical contract that has alienated the profession and caused uncertainty to patients.
"For the past two years, dentists and patients have told the Department of Health that it got it wrong."
"For the past two years, dentists and patients have told the Department of Health that it got it wrong."
A spokesman for the Department of Health said it would "carefully consider" the recommendations, but that the benefits of the reforms were already emerging.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said it would "carefully consider" the recommendations, but that the benefits of the reforms were already emerging.
"We have invested over £200m in NHS dentistry this year, over and above increases in the last three years. This takes our total investment to over £2bn.
"We have invested over £200m in NHS dentistry this year, over and above increases in the last three years. This takes our total investment to over £2bn.
"The focus and funding is already starting to show results - patients are starting to see the benefits with new NHS practices opening all over the country, and we are working with the NHS to ensure that, as the committee recommends, the quality of dental commissioning by PCTs improves."
"The focus and funding is already starting to show results - patients are starting to see the benefits with new NHS practices opening all over the country, and we are working with the NHS to ensure that, as the committee recommends, the quality of dental commissioning by PCTs improves."
Have you noticed an improvement in NHS dental care? Have you found it easy to find an NHS dentist? What lengths have you gone to in order to visit one? Have you recently gone private? Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124:
