Have Your Say on NHS Dentistry

flashnazia

The NHS are conducting a review of NHS dentistry.
Have your say

Professor Jimmy Steele and his team are looking for as many people to become involved in the review as possible. You can let him know your thoughts and questions by emailing him, and he will provide regular updates on the key themes and issues that are emerging.
Alternatively, you can send your thoughts in the post.

• Contact:
  Professor Jimmy Steele (Dentistry Review)
• Address:
  Professor of Oral Health Research
  School of Dental Sciences
  Newcastle University
  Framlington Place
  Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW
  
• Email:
  [EMAIL="dentistry.review@dh.gsi.gov.uk"]dentistry.review@dh.gsi.gov.uk[/EMAIL]

If you want to contribute (or complain!) then please do so!

(I'm going to complain about the usual, availability of NHS dentists, and the flat rate fee for fillings and extractions)

Toothsmith

I wouldn't get your hopes up.

Pennylane

Positive as always Toothsmith!!:rolleyes:

alison999

The government dont care about dentistry, if they did, it wouldnt have gotten into the mess that it is now.

All the complaints/opinions will fall on deaf ears.

Toothsmith

I emailed him a couple of months ago when this was announced in dental circles to ask him how relevant he felt his review would be if there wasn't a single 'at the coal face' dentist on his panel? (Which there isn't)

He didn't seem to think that having a panel only made up of academics and beaurocrats was a problem, as ordinary dentists would be 'free to contribute' just like everybody else.

Nile

I almost didn't recognise you there Toothsmith, I'm so used to your old avatar of the 'Colgate ring of confidence' smile.:D

It's good to know that you're taking the time to get involved Toothsmith. I thought you'd given up on NHS dentistry a long time ago.;)

Toothsmith

Nile wrote: »

I almost didn't recognise you there Toothsmith, I'm so used to your old avatar of the 'Colgate ring of confidence' smile.:D

It's good to know that you're taking the time to get involved Toothsmith. I thought you'd given up on NHS dentistry a long time ago.;)

Should I change my Avatar back do you think?

I gave up doing NHS dentistry as it stands at the moment.

I favour the 'voucher' system where everybody gets an allowance towards their dentistry.

That way, dentists could still pick the standard of dentistry they wanted to perform at, and patients could choose what level they wanted to, or could afford to, receive.

Some dentists would set their prices pretty much in line with what the vouchers would pay for, and operate quite a 'cheap and cheerful' sort of practice, others would set their prices above the voucher level, with the patient paying the 'top up' price and receiving care more in line with proper private practices.

But the point would be that everybody would get something out of the system. At the moment, those that receive private care foot the entire bill.

This, of course, will never happen, because it would expose the fact that if the entire national dental budget has to be shared out around everybody - then it would run to about £4.50 per person per year.

The NHS dental system has never had to cope with more than about half the population wanting NHS dental care, and it would completely collapse if it ever had to look after everybody.

That's what caused the problems in the early 90s. Rules governing NHS dental care were relaxed, and dentists were encouraged to go out and attract lots of patients and do lots of work for them. One year later, hundreds of thousands of extra people had been seen, and the budget was about 25% overspent.

In any other industry, the workers would have been given productivity bonuses. Not in NHS dentistry though. Fees were cut and money - ligitimately earnt - was clawed back! That's what started the real problems we have today.

So - NHS dentistry is never going to improve without a huge injection of cash - and what is the Government a bit strapped for at the moment?.........

Another alternative is to make it a core service.

Make the NHS just a service that does examinations, simple fillings, extractions and dentures. (Probably a bigger range of treatments and prevention for the under 18s). That, after all is all that is necessary to be HEALTHY.

That way, again, all dentists can provide the NHS care to all their patients, and charge extra to anybody who wants anything above and beyond this level of care.

I would encourage everybody reading this thread to use this chance to email Professor Steele. But remember that a fully comprehensive very low cost (to the patient) high quality NHS dental service for all is pie in the sky.

To fund that, they'd need to stop a couple of wars, and cancel a couple of overrunning computer contracts. It ain't going to happen!!

Nile

I vote yes for the old avatar.:D

I've emailed the prof, I don't know whether they'll bother to reply or even if my comments will be added to the melting pot but at least I've tried.

I like your voucher suggestion Toothsmith, I feel really shocked and very sorry for the people who can't get NHS treatment and can't afford [STRIKE]your[/STRIKE]:o private prices either.

I've watched the '10 years younger' programme tonight. It's often the dental work that makes the most dramatic difference to people's appearance and definitely impacts on their self confidence.:cool:

I can't imagine going through life too embarrassed to smile and having everyone think I'm unfriendly and aloof as a result. Having good dental health is vitally important.

alison999

Nile wrote: »

I've watched the '10 years younger' programme tonight. It's often the dental work that makes the most dramatic difference to people's appearance and definitely impacts on their self confidence.:cool:

but whos gonna pay to replace all that when the time comes? probably not channel 4

Toothsmith

Nile wrote: »

I vote yes for the old avatar.:D

I've emailed the prof, I don't know whether they'll bother to reply or even if my comments will be added to the melting pot but at least I've tried.

I like your voucher suggestion Toothsmith, I feel really shocked and very sorry for the people who can't get NHS treatment and can't afford [strike]your[/strike]:o private prices either.

I've watched the '10 years younger' programme tonight. It's often the dental work that makes the most dramatic difference to people's appearance and definitely impacts on their self confidence.:cool:

I can't imagine going through life too embarrassed to smile and having everyone think I'm unfriendly and aloof as a result. Having good dental health is vitally important.

Don't get me going about 10 yrs younger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The vast majority of the people who have abused themselves over God knows how many years on that program would be better off with plastic dentures. Rather than the advanced stuff they get and haven't a hope of looking after themselves without a lottery win.

Good dental health is very important.

Pimping up someones gob with dental bling is a very long way from providing them with good dental health.

tirednewdad

alison999 wrote: »

but whos gonna pay to replace all that when the time comes? probably not channel 4

One of my patients was on that program about 2 years ago( i stress to say i only started seeing her recently as a patient). Her teeth look 'good for tv teeth', but look like horses teeth in real life.

Also because she still doesn't get brushing or has the same rubbish diet, alot of the work has signs of failure. In 10-15years time she will be back to where she started.

I don't know if this is the same for all the people who took part, but there was very little instructions on maintaining the dental work they got.

As for this new dental contract- i would mention whether you feel if the care of your teeth has improved within the 3 years the contract has run. Also whether you feel it is easier to get to an NHS dentist. Also whether you think that your getting more value for money.

I know my personal feelings.:mad: