Funding: the ‘F word’ missing from government contract reform plans

Les Jones speaks to Shiv Pabary about why funding remains the biggest obstacle to the government’s longstanding promise of NHS dental contract reform.

Although this podcast was recorded at Dentistry Show Birmingham in May, a change of Prime Minister has so far yielded no indications as to whether this new regime will honour the promises of the previous team to bring about contract reform by the end of this parliamentary term.

During his discussion with Practice Plan creative consultant Les Jones, BDA chair of the GDPC, Shiv Pabary, corrects the notion that the changes to the NHS dental contract introduced in April equated to reform. He asserts they were simply minimal changes introduced within the same financial envelope. As Shiv reminds us, the elephant in the room regarding reform, which he describes as the ‘F-word’ (funding), has yet to be addressed.

The British Dental Association (BDA) estimates £1.5bn is all that’s needed to bring about the changes needed to improve the state of NHS dental services. As Shiv points out, the U-turns on the two-child benefit cap and the winter fuel allowance represented more than £3bn, which leaves him wondering whether neglecting NHS dentistry is about political choice rather than affordability.

Time is running short for contract reform

Contract reform requires honesty and ownership from the government. The profession can make suggestions as to how the provision of NHS dental care can be delivered but ultimately, solutions need to be owned by the government. Whether that be a core service limited by the treatments available or people treated, the choice is not one for the profession to make, but the administration.  

As someone who teaches final year dental students, Shiv is ideally placed to tap into the career aspirations of young dentists. Disappointingly for him, very few of them see themselves providing NHS care in five years’ time. Without an attractive NHS dental contract, the drift away from the NHS will continue unabated and the service will wither on the vine. Time is running short to save it.

Practice Plan has been welcoming practices into the family since 1995, helping them to grow profitable businesses through the introduction of practice-branded membership plans. If you’re looking for a provider to be by your side through a safe move from NHS to private then, with over 300 years’ dental experience in our field team, you’re in safe hands with Practice Plan… Be Practice Plan and get in touch.

Call 01691 684165 or visit www.practiceplan.co.uk/be-practice-plan/.

This article is sponsored by Practice Plan.