Ninth Report - NHS dentistry

The government accepts the recommendation and highlights existing measures, such as NHS England's Patient and Public Voice group to improve patient understanding and the contractual requirement for dental practices to quarterly update their NHS website profiles. It also notes additional measures by NHS England to monitor and improve compliance with website updates.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NHS England introduced a new biannual dental workforce survey in October 2023, which will collect comprehensive data on the dental team and NHS activity, with initial data expected by early 2024.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NHS England introduced a new biannual dental workforce survey in October 2023 to improve data collection on the dental team and NHS activity, with initial data expected by early 2024. They also highlight existing monthly publications of NHS dental activity data.

The government accepts the recommendation, having already published guidance in July 2022 to facilitate dental therapists and hygienists opening treatment courses, and completed a consultation on changes to human medicines regulations to expand their scope of practice, with a response due shortly.

The government accepts the recommendation, detailing GDC's increased ORE exam capacities from August 2023 and 2024, and listing specific measures already taken to streamline international registration processes for overseas-qualified dentists to work in the NHS.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NHS England published guidance in October 2023 with commissioning options for ICBs, and will release a further publication in 2024 providing practical examples of services and commissioning options to spread best practice.

The government accepts the recommendation, stating that NHS England published guidance in October 2023 to provide ICBs with clarity on commissioning flexibilities within the national dental contractual framework, and will issue further guidance with practical examples in 2024.

The government accepts the recommendation and outlined several reforms announced in July 2022, including allowing high-performing practices to take more patients, fairer payment for complex care, and requiring NHS dentists to update their availability online. It also states a forthcoming Dentistry Recovery Plan will continue efforts to improve patient access.

The government accepts the recommendation, clarifying that there is no formal patient registration system. It supports adherence to NICE recall guidelines and details existing measures from 2022 reforms for practices to provide urgent dental care and use risk-based recalls, with NHS England monitoring compliance and sharing data with ICBs.

The government partially accepts, detailing existing and planned measures like a 5.13% uplift to NHS dental contracts and guidance for Integrated Care Boards on 'Flexible Commissioning' for local initiatives. They are also exploring tie-ins for new dentists and developing a career pathway including apprenticeships through the Advancing Dental Care review.

The government accepts the importance of efficient processing for overseas dentists, confirming they are working with the GDC to clear the registration backlog. They highlight specific GDC actions to triple ORE Part 1 capacity and increase Part 2 sittings to address demand.

The government partially accepts, stating that Integrated Care Boards are responsible for undertaking oral health needs assessments to support commissioning priorities and are working towards having these assessments in place by July 2024.

The government accepts the recommendation, detailing that it is working with the GDC to clear the backlog by tripling ORE Part 1 exam capacity and increasing Part 2 sittings for 2024. Additionally, it has streamlined processes for overseas-qualified dentists, including unilateral recognition of EEA qualifications and new regulations to reduce performers list application times.