OCDO England Announced first steps of contract reform, stating this is not ‘job done’.
The full details are available on the link provided https://t.co/8Kpow11dmZ
This represents the first significant change to the contract since its introduction in 2006. It follows 12 months of engagement with frontline dental teams, the public, patients and other stakeholders after NHS England was asked by the government to lead on the next stage of dental system reform in March 2021.
The changes announced today address many of the challenges voiced by frontline dental teams and will make a real difference to patients. With a shift in the emphasis of financial reward and a re-orientation of clinical activity to those patients that need it most we are focussed on improving access to NHS dental care and our support for our valued dental teams …
‒ Addressing misunderstandings around use of skill mix in NHS dental care, whilst removing some of the administrative barriers preventing dental care professionals from operating within their full scope of practice
‒ Taking steps to maximise access from existing NHS resources, including through funding practices to deliver more activity in year, where affordable
‒ Improving information for patients by requiring more regular updating of the Directory of Services
President Fiona Ellwood said ‘ SBDN welcomes the first step of GDS Contract Reform and in doing so hopes to see a shift in thinking and a team approach to oral health wellness and preventative care’. She goes on to say … for far too long politics, bureaucracy and red tape have been barriers to the profession and they go along way to designing the challenges dentistry faces’. ‘If we want to truly look to reducing inequalities in health and particularly oral health then it is time to look inwards, be inclusive and value the whole team for what they offer the system and patients alike’.
SBDN will be delighted to work closely with the OCDO England and stakeholder groups to ensure not only patient outcomes are a priority, but that the dental nursing profession are key players in their care and can excel in their career opportunities..