Update on the Dental Contract

The new contractual arrangements for NHS dentistry came into force on 1 April 2006.  Information provided by Local Health Boards and the NHS Business Services Authority indicate that well over 9 out of 10 (some 97%) of those dentists providing NHS care signed up for the new contract and are continuing to provide NHS dental services. Contracts signed by these dentists account for a little over 95 per cent of NHS dental services being provided prior to 1 April. In addition to those dentists who did not sign the new contract a small number chose to reduce the amount of NHS dentistry they provide.

Funding of the new contract will see an additional £30 million invested in NHS dentistry from 2006-07 onward and this represents an increase of the net spend in dentistry of over 89% since the Assembly was established and some 35% over the forecast expenditure for 2005-06.

It is recognised that where dentists haven’t signed up to the new contract or have reduced their NHS commitment this can cause short-term difficulties for those patients affected.  However, patients do not have to sign up for private dental services if they do not want to and if they need to find an alternative dentist who provides NHS care then they should contact their Local Health Board.

One of the main benefits of local commissioning for the NHS under the new arrangements is that it gives LHBs increasing influence about how NHS dental services for their area are developed to meet local needs.  Historically, when a dentist has left the NHS or reduced their NHS commitment, the LHB had no power to replace the lost capacity.  With local budgets now devolved to LHBs, they retain the funding for NHS dentistry which enables alternative local dental services to be commissioned. LHBs are already using their new powers under the reforms to bring in new services - something they were not able to do under the old system.