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| NHS dental contract attacks mount | NHS dental contract attacks mount |
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| People are finding it no easier to see an NHS dentist a year after radical reforms of NHS dentistry came into effect, according to two reports. | People are finding it no easier to see an NHS dentist a year after radical reforms of NHS dentistry came into effect, according to two reports. |
| A British Dental Association poll of 394 dentists found the majority did not think the reforms had improved access. | A British Dental Association poll of 394 dentists found the majority did not think the reforms had improved access. |
| And Citizens Advice said 2m patients did not have access to an NHS dentist and were being forced to go private, go on waiting lists or do without. | And Citizens Advice said 2m patients did not have access to an NHS dentist and were being forced to go private, go on waiting lists or do without. |
| However, the government said improvements were being made. | However, the government said improvements were being made. |
| The reports come just days after a Which? survey of dentists found that two-thirds were turning away patients and as the BDA hosts a conference in London on the situation. | The reports come just days after a Which? survey of dentists found that two-thirds were turning away patients and as the BDA hosts a conference in London on the situation. |
| The future of NHS dentistry is becoming increasingly fragile and we need action now before it shatters altogether Susie Sanderson, of the British Dental Association href="/1/hi/health/6502125.stm">Dentists forced on holiday class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5933&edition=2&ttl=20070328085427">Send us your comments | |
| The government introduced a new deal last April giving dentists the same money for treating fewer patients in a bid to get away from the "drill and fill" culture and attract more dentists to the NHS. | The government introduced a new deal last April giving dentists the same money for treating fewer patients in a bid to get away from the "drill and fill" culture and attract more dentists to the NHS. |
| Primary care trusts, which hold the purse strings for local health services, were also given responsibility for ensuring patients could get access to care. | Primary care trusts, which hold the purse strings for local health services, were also given responsibility for ensuring patients could get access to care. |
| They were given a budget of £2.3bn to achieve this, although a quarter of that was expected to come from fees from charges - most adults have to contribute to the cost of NHS treatment. | They were given a budget of £2.3bn to achieve this, although a quarter of that was expected to come from fees from charges - most adults have to contribute to the cost of NHS treatment. |
| But PCTs have reported that they have not been making as much in charges, leaving many with a shortfall. | But PCTs have reported that they have not been making as much in charges, leaving many with a shortfall. |
| The Citizens Advice report acknowledged this has been a problem and said extra money must be targeted at areas where there is a shortage of services. | The Citizens Advice report acknowledged this has been a problem and said extra money must be targeted at areas where there is a shortage of services. |
| The report was compiled from evidence given by nearly 4,000 of its clients, research on the 152 PCTs and government statistics. | The report was compiled from evidence given by nearly 4,000 of its clients, research on the 152 PCTs and government statistics. |
| It said that there had been "little evidence of any real growth" in services and in a quarter of PCTs no dentists were taking on new patients. | It said that there had been "little evidence of any real growth" in services and in a quarter of PCTs no dentists were taking on new patients. |
| It said 2m patients - compiled from government estimates - could not get access to an NHS dentist, with most deciding to pay for private treatment, go on a waiting list or not get treatment at all. | It said 2m patients - compiled from government estimates - could not get access to an NHS dentist, with most deciding to pay for private treatment, go on a waiting list or not get treatment at all. |
| It said some areas such as Hartlepool were spoilt for choice, while others including Blackburn had very poor access. | It said some areas such as Hartlepool were spoilt for choice, while others including Blackburn had very poor access. |
| And it added people in rural communities were particularly disadvantaged as they had to rely on public transport, forcing them to take expensive, difficult and time-consuming journeys to reach a dentist. | And it added people in rural communities were particularly disadvantaged as they had to rely on public transport, forcing them to take expensive, difficult and time-consuming journeys to reach a dentist. |
| Action | Action |
| The BDA poll found 85% of dentists believed the new contract had not improved access to NHS services and 97% did not think it had removed dentists from the "drill and fill" treadmill. | The BDA poll found 85% of dentists believed the new contract had not improved access to NHS services and 97% did not think it had removed dentists from the "drill and fill" treadmill. |
| Susie Sanderson, chairman of the BDA, said the new contract was "failing both patients and dentists". | Susie Sanderson, chairman of the BDA, said the new contract was "failing both patients and dentists". |
| "The future of NHS dentistry is becoming increasingly fragile and we need action now before it shatters altogether." | "The future of NHS dentistry is becoming increasingly fragile and we need action now before it shatters altogether." |
| Roger Goss, of Patient Concern, said action was needed. | Roger Goss, of Patient Concern, said action was needed. |
| "We believe dentists should be made to do a set amount of work for the NHS if they are going to be allowed to practice. | "We believe dentists should be made to do a set amount of work for the NHS if they are going to be allowed to practice. |
| "It would not be popular, but it would help solve this crisis." | "It would not be popular, but it would help solve this crisis." |
| The Department of Health defended the new contract saying improvements were being made and the old system had to change. | The Department of Health defended the new contract saying improvements were being made and the old system had to change. |
| "It was agreed by all that the old system of NHS dentistry was deeply flawed and had to be modernised," it said. | "It was agreed by all that the old system of NHS dentistry was deeply flawed and had to be modernised," it said. |
| Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The overall picture is that, despite the speculation, the number of dentists is growing and rather than leaving they are actually keen to expand their work for the NHS - hardly indicative of a failing system." | Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The overall picture is that, despite the speculation, the number of dentists is growing and rather than leaving they are actually keen to expand their work for the NHS - hardly indicative of a failing system." |