Tag: Scottish dentists

BDA: Payment reform cannot be final destination for Scotland’s dental service

The British Dental Association Scotland has stressed that there can be no complacency over the future of NHS dentistry, following the first evidence from frontline dentists since the Scottish Government’s reforms rolled out in November last year.

A new poll of high street dentists shows:

  • While two thirds (66%) of respondents say the new system represents an improvement on the previous model, 9 in 10 (88%) say this cannot be the final destination for NHS dentistry.
  • Only 22% say the new system enables a move to a preventive model of dentistry. Only 7% believe it will enhance access for NHS patients, and just 5% say it will support a reduction in oral health inequality.
  • 26% feel changes have made their practices more financially sustainable. 31% disagree. Nearly half have not formed an opinion.
  • 34% agreed reforms met the Scottish Government’s goal of increasing clinical freedom, while 38% disagreed. On reducing bureaucracy, respondents were tied for and against on 38%.

Just over a year ago the BDA’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee and the Scottish Government entered formal negotiations on the new fee structure and Payment Reform. This moved at pace within a challenging fiscal environment. The previous funding model was unsustainable, as surging costs had left dental practices delivering some NHS care at a financial loss.

In an open letter to the Scottish Government the BDA stress the Scottish Government must show it is willing to build on these reforms, and to double down on policies to ease the workforce crisis in the NHS.            

David McColl, Chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said: “Given the critical place dental services were at this verdict is welcome news, but there is absolutely no room for complacency.

“Dentists have seen improvements, but have told us reform falls short on access, inequalities and prevention. Changes might make some practices more sustainable today, but they do not provide the foundations for a 21st century service.   

“The Scottish Government has set goals on improving access and sustainability. These promises must be kept.

“Scotland cannot have NHS dentistry without NHS dentists – and this service must be a place which can recruit and retain talent.”

Online survey of Scottish General Dental Practitioners, February-April 2024, 229 respondents:

Please indicate your agreement or disagreement to following statements

1. The new system means the practice I work in is better able to remain financially sustainable           


Strongly agree                                   3%        

Agree                                               23%

Neither agree nor disagree              27%

Disagree                                          21%

Strongly disagree                            10%

Don’t know/not applicable               15%

Net Agree                                        26%      

Net disagree                                   31%

2. The new system represents an improvement on the previous payment model

Strongly agree                                 10%      

Agree                                               55%      

Neither agree nor disagree             15%

Disagree                                         12%      

Strongly disagree                              7%

Don’t know/not applicable                 0%

Net agree                                        66%      

Net disagree                                   19%

3. The new system reduces bureaucracy

Strongly agree                                   4%        

Agree                                               34%      

Neither agree nor disagree              22%

Disagree                                          21%      

Strongly disagree                            17%

Don’t know/not applicable                 2%        

Net agree                                        38%                                  

Net disagree                                   38%

4. The new system increases clinical freedom

Strongly agree                                                 3%
Agree                                                             30%
Neither agree nor disagree                            27%      
Disagree                                                        26%
Strongly disagree                                          12%

Don’t know/not applicable                               1%        

Net agree                                                      34%                                  

Net disagree                                                 38%                                   

5. The new system enables a move a preventive model of dentistry       

         
Strongly agree                                                 3%

Agree                                                             20%

Neither agree nor disagree                            24%

Disagree                                                        27%                                         

Strongly disagree                                          25%                    

Don’t know/not applicable                               2%        

Net agree                                                      22%                                  

Net disagree                                                 52%

6. The new system will enhance access for NHS patients            

Strongly agree                                                1%

Agree                                                              6%

Neither agree nor disagree                           18%      

Disagree                                                       34%

Strongly disagree                                         39%

Don’t know/not applicable                              2%        
Net agree                                                       7%                                        

Net disagree                                                 73%

7. The new system will support a reduction in oral health inequality

Strongly agree                                               1%

Agree                                                             4%

Neither agree nor disagree                          18%

Disagree                                                       35%

Strongly disagree                                          38%

Don’t know/not applicable                              3%

Net agree                                                       5%

Net disagree                                                 73%

8. The new system should be a final destination for reform of NHS        

Strongly agree                                               0%

Agree                                                             2%

Neither agree nor disagree                            7%

Disagree                                                       27%                                  

Strongly disagree                                          61%

Don’t know/not applicable                              2%        

Net agree                                                       2%

Net disagree                                                 88%

Scottish dentists to join strike action

The British Dental Association has announced that dentists in Scotland employed under the same contract as junior doctors, will join their medical colleagues in a 72-hour walkout, the dates of which are yet to be confirmed, if BMA ongoing negotiations with the Scottish government do not result in a credible pay offer.

The overwhelming majority of voters (91%) from this small but important cohort backed industrial action, on a turnout of 79%.

British Dental Association Chair Eddie Crouch said: “Our members stand ready to do whatever it takes to secure a fair deal on pay.

“Just like their medical colleagues these dentists aren’t worth a penny less than they were a decade ago.

“We are hopeful that a negotiated settlement can be found. But our members will take strike action if the Scottish Government fail to come back to the table with a serious pay offer.”