Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

June 6-12, 20118 News & Opinions United Kingdom Edition Here in the North West the extraction of teeth is the biggest reason why children are sub- jected to a general anaesthetic. We need to focus our serv- ices more on prevention, both for children and adults, whilst at the same time maintaining the good oral health of that majority. This coalition government has made a clear commitment to improve the oral health of children, this does not only mean dentists, we need to work across the spectrum, in educa- tion, social care and the wider medical fraternity, proactively tackling the inequalities on oral health. I know that my colleague Freddie Howe has been im- pressed when he has visited schemes, where everyone - lo- cal authorities, dental practi- tioners, consultants and health visitors - have come together to really tackle oral health pro- motion. And I would like to take this opportunity to give my thanks to the people that are leading this vital work and schemes that support them. Access to dental services: You may be aware that the lat- est data on dental access was published yesterday; when the coalition government came to power a year ago access to NHS dentistry has increased to 651,000 and it is a credit to all of you and the NHS that this has been achieved at a time when we are also moving for- ward rapidly with changes of the NHS. Access is a really signifi- cant issue and we all know that. We want to see access improved further. But it is im- portant, vital, that people have access to a high quality, leads based, outcome-focused serv- ice, one that offers patients an excellent experience, one that offers preventions and a reasonable financial award and a satisfaction of knowing you have improved people’s lives and knowledge that you are offering value for money on the NHS. As a government, we can take pride for that being achieved; I think even more importantly as a profession I know you will take pride and care in delivering it. The future: My aim, I believe yours to, is to work to create an NHS den- tal service that is the envy of the world, that helps build on and maintain improving oral health of the majority of the population, whilst seeking out and tackling inequality, and finding that minority where we have not yet achieved it. I believe that our contract re- forms, taken together with NHS modernisation, will give den- tists working for the NHS more complete working lives, reduce the burden of bureaucracy and the inconsistency of commis- sioning, that many of you have complained about in the past. The fact that we are today here, at this conference, a mat- ter of weeks away from the start of piloting the new NHS contracts, very much reflects the engaging commitment over the last year between the pro- fession and ourselves. I want to say thank you to the BDA for that engagement. I think it’s been constructive and positive, immensely helpful and I thank you all for it. DT • Were you at Mr Lansley’s speech? What were your thoughts? Email Lisa@dental- tribuneuk.com page 7DTß Lansley: ‘‘It is important, vital, that peo- ple have access to a high quality, leads based, outcome-focused service’’ Call us 01227 780009 Soft Tissue Management Laser specialist since 1992 www.quicklase.com PowerPen £2083 £3417 Dual 8w info@quicklase.com Prices include delivery and training ex VAT. 2w 810nm 4w 810nm + 4w 980nm Open your doors to more patients Be a LASER Dentist British Built PPenDual8WQL050511RG Lim ited O pportunity