Denplan launches white paper on The Future of Dentistry: Unlocking solutions to improving oral health
Recommendations discussed at roundtable event in Westminster by key dentistry leaders
Leading dental payment plan specialist Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has published a new white paper produced using the voices of its member dentists on The future of dentistry: unlocking solutions to improving oral health with the aim to build consensus on the policy solutions needed to establish sustainable and equitable access to dental care.
The publication was discussed at a roundtable event on 26 November at Portcullis House, Westminster, sponsored by Helen Morgan MP and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health and social care, and was attended by leaders representing 12 organisations across the dental sector.
It comes after the National Audit Office(i) reported this week that the previous government’s £200 million rescue package to increase access to NHS dentistry in England this year, is not on track.
Access to dental care remains a critical healthcare challenge across the UK, with recent figures revealing that 97% of new patients are unable to access NHS care(ii), with tooth decay being the most common reason for hospital admission in children aged between 5 and 9 years(iii).
In Denplan’s Oral Health Survey of adults across Great Britain, 48% identified access to NHS dentistry as a key issue for the Government to tackle. It is vital that the sector comes together to offer practical solutions and supports work to make substantial progress towards securing accessible dentistry for all, throughout the next parliamentary term.
The roundtable hosted key expert voices from the dental sector and parliamentary advocates to share their insights into how solutions to this challenge can be realised. This was followed by a drop-in session where parliamentarians and policymakers met to learn more about the dentistry crisis and how it can be resolved by gaining an improved understanding of dental provision in England, including the mixed economy of dentistry.
The Future of Dentistry white paper has been informed by insights and data from a Denplan member survey and sets out recommendations against three key aims:
1. Empower and elevate the entire dental workforce
The government should work with the dental sector to support the training and personal development of dental professionals’ careers in order to improve retention and recruitment issues; and practices should be given guidance on how training can support the use of the whole dental team, to allow them to operate at the top of their capabilities and improve practice capacity.
2. Prioritise and expand preventative care initiatives
There should be a greater focus on reducing the incidence of disease rather than addressing issues as they arise. Routes to this include improved local commissioning of oral health improvement programmes; a formal role for dentists on Integrated Care Boards to ensure dentistry is prioritised and funding is allocated; national campaigns on oral health and stronger legislation; and regulation on unhealthy food and drink.
3. Ensure financial sustainability and reform funding models
The government and the NHS must seek to balance the delivery of care through different payment models, putting patient care first; provide a timeline for consultation on the dental contract; issue centralised guidance to commissioners on how to fairly modify contracts to allow dentists to operate more sustainably; and prioritise guidance around flexible commissioning to ensure children and vulnerable adults have consist access to NHS dental services.
Commenting on the findings Denplan and Simplyhealth Clinical Director Catherine Rutland said:
With the Government’s forthcoming NHS 10-Year-Plan, our members urge policymakers to consider dentistry’s mixed economy when shaping the healthcare agenda. Cross-department collaboration is essential, and the dental profession must be fully consulted in strategy development. A future where all patients have access to care, practices are fairly rewarded, and dental teams feel fulfilled requires cohesive action. Oral health cannot be sidelined any longer. The time to act is now.
Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for health and social care said:
For too long, dental care has been overlooked in the UK resulting in a growing crisis in access. Colleagues from across the House regularly hear from constituents how services are unable to meet the demand for accessible, high-quality services. This report marks a critical step forward, uniting the dental sector and calling policymakers to action to ensure we can secure we act on dentistry in this parliamentary term. Together we can build a healthier, more resilient dental sector that prioritises access, quality and innovation for both patients and providers.
The event was chaired by Stephen Hancocks, editor in chief of British Dental Journal and joined by leaders from the British Dental Association, Association of Dental Groups, General Dental Council, The College of General Dentistry, Oral Health Foundation, Dental Defence Union, Dental Protection Union, British Association of Dental Nurses, Society of British Dental Nurses, Dentaid - The Dental Charity, British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy and Denplan.
References:
i. National Audit Office Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7gxrv9v75o
ii. British Dental Association (2024) Dentists: 97% of new patients unable to access NHS care. Available at: https://www.bda.org/media-centre/dentists-97-of-new-patients-unable-to-access-nhs-care (Accessed October 2024)
iii. Office for Health Improvement & Disparities (2024) Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds: short statistical commentary 2023. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-2023/hospital-tooth-extractions-in-0-to-19-year-olds-shortstatistical-commentary-2023 (Accessed October 2024)
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