NHS Dentistry Petition

KDH_2

And your comments regarding the press links - Is this all due to "greedy private dentists" or Government incompetance??

LittleJo

Hi,
Firmly tongue in cheek,
the answer to our dentistry problem is for the dentists to use the same nogotiating skills as the GPs.
Jo

DownintheMouth

Dear Kenshaz,

You are arguing from a point from where the Dental profession was arguing only a few years ago.

Unfortunately they believed Government spin, they will improve things for NHS Dentistry etc, etc.

You seem to forget that most Dentists wanted to stay in the NHS, have already actually spent years/decades in the NHS and doing other advanced courses or further qualifications to learn new advanced techniques, materials and methods that deliver 21st Century high-tech Dentistry.

Now please tell me what Dentists should do if they learn and improve, but the system does NOT facilitate, fund or allow the time to provide their BEST skills (this is NOT the same as saying Dentists are not trying their best in more limited circumstances, like British soldiers without flak jackets etc.) ?

Protest - done that, HMG says public not too unhappy so stop moaning
Lobby MPs - done that, Labour whip says support HMG or get blacklisted
Write to Press - done that, started off saying moaning Dentists, now starting to expose the big lie that Dentistry is truely NHS
Tell patients truth - done that, HMG spin says blame workers, not HMG who fund and manage system
Leave NHS system if you believe your standards are compromised too much - that is where many in Dentistry find themselves and it will be a continuous process, increasing over the next 3 years

Last but not least, most Vocational trainees when last surveyed admitted, even though they are salaried in the NHS ,that the system did not allow them to Practice at the standards they were taught as Dental Students - fortunately they want to get better and even do better than they were taught, not worse, so consequently it won't suprise you to learn that the majority do NOT see their Professional futures working in the NHS system after VT.

How sad is that ????

The e-petition quite clearly states Governments enforced new system is bad for Patients and Dentists and should be radically changed, full stop.

In the meantime, the Dental Profession is dividing into those who see their futures providing for patients on a Private Contract basis, where patients and Dentists chose each other and know they can have a long-term relationship and wrk to the best of their ability, whatever that may be, but hopefully in a stable position, able to continue improving their skills and service provided.

Those still in the NHS will continue to try to make the best of the limited resources, high NHS patient charges (why are there any fees, let alone £100's if it's really NHS?) and a population that can't or won't seek care outside the NHS system until it gets really bad or too basic for their needs.

My personal view is that this Government thinks it knows better than either patients/Public or the Professions and has chosen a system of targets that best meets it's accountancy needs and spending caps, whilst misleading the public that NHS Dentistry is the best service and available to all and it's free at the point of delivery etc, etc.

But when push comes to shove and their is a crisis or exposure of the lie, blame those greedy uncaring Dentists because they are an easy scapegoat to take attention away from their mis-management since 1997.

Please ask YOUR Dentist what they really think about this mess - i suspect they will say I am doing the best I can in dificult circumstances, but HMG has messed up the system nationally because it really doesn't listen to constructive input from the Professions.

Feet and Eyes are now 90% outside of the NHS and I fear that despite the Dental profession's protests, Teeth are destined to go similarly if this shambles continues.

Having now looked at what has happeed to Opticians and Chiropody, many are now begining to think if it delivers what patients want, when they want it and how they want it, then maybe this is a better way if HMG are simply unwilling to make Dentistry truely NHS and allow Dental Graduates to Practice at the levels of knowledge and skills that even they have at the begining of their Dental Career.

Sad but True,

Down in the Mouth.

kenshaz

Thank-you DownintheMouth,a really excellent analysis and you have presented a good case.I personally hate targets and this government is a master of them.I will sign the petition and it is your representation that has enabled and convinced me to take my rose tainted glasses off.
I am prepared to listen to honest from the heart points of view ,the poll now stands at 1021 with my signature.
If you can convince me then there is hope,that you can change the mind set of those with the power.

KDH_2

Thanks Kenshaz - we got there in the end.
I know Toothsmith will be as pleased as I am !

Toothsmith

:T :T :beer: :T :T

domdent

kenshaz wrote:

So we would not realise that perhaps the private sector dentist is not as adept as the NHS one ,but we are paying for the privilege to find out .

Nor would you know if a dentist with postgraduate qualifications was either;)

Toothsmith

domdent wrote:

Nor would you know if a dentist with postgraduate qualifications was either;)

Now stop poking his cage!!

kenshaz

domdent wrote:

Nor would you know if a dentist with postgraduate qualifications was either;)

So very true.;)
but I did rattle his/her chain.:p

KDH_2

Another news link to the current NHS Dentistry crisis

http://shrunklink.com?sei