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The Guardian is reporting, this morning, that according to a Government memo, many people will be unable to get treatment from their dentist as the financial year draws to a close since NHS Dentists are only paid for a set number of Units of Dental Activity (UDA) under their new contracts. The report goes on to say:
But a report in the Health Service Journal (HSJ) says that patients may have to resort to emergency care or find an alternative practice because their dentists have fulfilled their annual contracts too soon.
A memo from the Department of Health warns primary care trusts to have "clear lines ready in case of media interest" if patients are left without a dentist as the financial year comes to an end, the HSJ reports.
The letter says PCTs must "ensure patients know how to access urgent care, publicise any spare capacity in other dental practices locally, and have clear lines ready in case of media interest".
Several PCTs contacted by the HSJ said problems were arising in some practices, with plans to introduce "pooling" systems to farm out patients to alternative dentists.
This is going to be hard news to swallow for many individuals and families alike. It is hard enough finding a NHS Dentist in the first place let alone the prospect of finding out that after having found one you may not be treated because many have fulfilled their “Quota” of UDA’s.
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The Welsh Assembly Government has the power to tackle this shortage, independently of Westminster. Rhodri Morgan has failed to do so. Instead, he and health minister Brian Gibbons have signed up to the failed English scheme, criticised in the Guardian article.
Jenny Randerson, AM, health spokesperson for the Welsh Liberal Democrats for some time has had a viable Dental Action Plan on the table.
In the short term, it would:
- Increase the use of mobile dentists to clear backlog of Dental work.
- Employ salaried dentists specifically for check-ups and to
focus on dental health and prevention at primary schools,
playgroups and nurseries, building on Community Dental
Service in Community First Areas.
- Give rural areas the ability to employ more salaried dentists.
- Give every child a toothbrush and toothpaste, and build oral healthcare into early-years education.
- Provide grants for schools and playgroups to pay for low-sugar snacks.
Long-term Actions:
1.Expand the use of dental hygienists and therapists by looking at the rural dental health model utilised in Canada where normative dental care is not carried out by dentists but by allied health professionals.
2.Create a new needs based contract, which pays dentists according to the number of patients registered as well as the number of
dental activities performed. Incentives must be focused on good dental health rather than merely treating the symptoms of bad dental
health.
3.Extend the number of training places available for dentistry in
Wales from 2007 by funding extra places in Wales.
4.Extend scholarships for dental students to encourage more Welsh
students to become dentists.
5.Extend the numbers of training places available for dental hygienists and dental therapists from 2007.
6.Establish standardised and accredited training courses for dental nurses in all areas.
7.Local Health Boards should encourage and support good practice in the employment, training and development of CPD, and other dental support staff, providing clear training resources.
8.Provide clear career development plans that enable dental nurses
to train to become dental hygienists.
9.Reform the Welsh Dental Initiative so that it provides capital grants for premises and equipment for dentists wishing to set-up or expand a practice in areas where there is a shortage of NHS dentists.
10.Provide walk-in centres to alleviate strain on emergency dental care in urban environments not suitable for mobile dental units.
(For full details, see Jenny's paper at the Welsh LibDem web site)
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