Dental Tribune UK Edition, September 20-26, 2010, Vol. 4 No. 22

PUBLISHED IN LONDON E nsuring that people have access to NHS dentists is still one of the biggest problems for primary care trusts, according to a recent survey. The 2010 British Dental As- sociation (BDA) Local Commis- sioning Survey found that signifi- cant challenges remain for the commissioning of dentistry in England, despite the growing ex- perience of commissioning staff and consensus on priorities. The research found that ac- cess to care remains the top pri- ority for primary care trust (PCT) dental commissioning leads, with 89 per cent of PCTs naming it as one of their top three priorities: This echoes the findings of re- search by the British Dental Asso- ciation in 2009. Quality was next, which appeared in the top three concerns of just over a quarter (28.4 per cent) of PCTs. The research sought insight into the experience of PCT den- tal commissioning, staff com- missioning and the level of sup- port they enjoyed from strategic health authorities (SHAs), revisit- ing themes addressed by the 2009 research. This year’s survey found that 61 per cent receive performance monitoring advice, 46 per cent contracting advice and guidance and 18 per cent receive support with their dental strategy. The growing experience of dental commissioning staff is no- ticeable. Less than 10 per cent of those surveyed had been in their role for under a year according to the 2010 survey, while more than a quarter had served for such a short period in 2009. However, many of the com- missioning leads questioned this year said they did not have an ad- equate workforce. Almost three-quarters said they needed additional support, with 18 per cent declaring they did not benefit from the expertise of a consultant in dental public health. The research also identified significant under spending of dental budgets. Just under a fifth (16.4 per cent) of PCTs said they had spent less than 95 per cent of their ring fenced dental budgets in 2009/10, although it is not clear whether the re- maining funds were completely unspent or diverted to non- dental spending. John Milne, chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Commit- tee, said: ‘‘This research illus- trates the challenges that persist with the commissioning of pri- mary dental care and underlines some of the issues the national commissioning board will face when it assumes its duties.’’ He added: ‘‘It is clear that whoever is responsible for com- missioning dental care must be properly supported and have ac- cess to appropriate expertise. The experience and knowl- edge of consultants in dental public health and dental practice advisers are particularly valu- able in helping PCTs provide effective care to patients. This study stresses the gradual accumulation of experience by PCTs. Arrangements for the handover of commission- ing responsibility must seek to ensure that experience is not lost.’’ Under the coalition govern- ment, the transfer of responsibil- ity for dental commissioning will pass in 2012 from the PCTs to the national commissioning board. It is not yet clear whether the board will have regional offices and, if it does, how these will be organised across the country. DT Call Max on 01737 221020 EXT 2042 or email DTacquisitions@adp-dental.com If you’re thinking about selling your practice or group then come and have a chat with us. You’ve worked hard. Now reap the rewards. Think of selling your practice and think of • Beating the Corporate Gains Tax rise • Clinical freedom • A minimum 1 year working contract • Reducing your income tax bill • Reducing stress • Developing practice potential & growth • Supporting staff & patients • Unlocking equity September 20-26 2010 VOL. 4 NO. 22 24,000 BDA members Memberships of the Brit- ish Dental Association has reached 24,000 for the first time ever – in the same year that the BDA celebrates its 130th anniversary. The figure is made up of nearly 20,000 (19,940) fully qualified den- tists and more than 4,000 den- tal students. British Dental Association (BDA) chief ex- ecutive Peter Ward welcomed the news and said: ‘‘2010 is a particularly challenging time for the dental profession in the UK with reform, uncertainty and regulatory changes fac- ing practitioners. It’s fantastic news that more dentists than ever recognise the value of the support the BDA can give them in meeting those challenges.’’ He added: ‘‘The BDA strives hard to assist its members in all aspects of their work and we look forward to being there for our enlarged family as we navigate the challenges ahead together’.’ Babies’ dental project The University and NHS Sal- ford are launching a two year project to prevent tooth decay in young children and babies. The project is in partnership with Salford City Council with funding from the National In- stitute for Health Research. Children in the North West have one of the highest levels of tooth decay in England. The project aims to prevent, rather than cure, tooth decay by tar- geting the parents of babies and following them until the children are three years old. The participants will be split into three groups, all of which will have access to dental services via a dental practice linked to their local children’s centre. Two of the groups will be given an additional serv- ice. This will be either the ap- plication of fluoride varnish to teeth every six months or educational work with parents designed to establish good oral hygiene and diet routines. The university will analyse data on the number of de- cayed, missing or filled teeth that children develop and use the results to decide which of the services is the most suc- cessful. Prof Cynthia Pine, the principal investigator and ex- ecutive dean of the Faculty of Health & Social Care said: ‘‘A project of this size has never been carried out in very young children before. Our focus is to improve children’s dental health in Salford and I’m de- lighted we can work in part- nership across the city.’’ For more information or to take part call 0161 295 5095 or email fhsc-salfordbright- smiles@salford.ac.uk www.dental-tribune.co.uk ‘Perverse Incentives’ Dental Tribune speaks to Lord Howe Little Things A look at one dentist’s tiny tooth world Augmentation A case presentation involving an implant supported crown News in Brief Feature Case StudyInterviewNews See the light Charity warns over gimmick of solar powered toothbrush page 4 pages 7-8 page 16 page 27 Survey - access is still biggest problem for PCTs Commissioning survey by the British Dental Association shows growing experience of commissioning staff