Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Uncertainty surrounds timeframe for fundamental NHS dental contract reforms, hindering access improvements
Conclusion
DHSC told us that it believed that those reforms “made a useful difference” and were a “step in the right direction”.21 We note, however, that the NAO report found that it saw no evidence of a full evaluation of these reforms.22 NHSE said that it recognised since the 2022 reforms that further reform is “absolutely fundamental”.23 The new government has also committed to contract reform.24 Given the length of time in which the dental contract has been identified as a barrier to improving NHS dental access, we pressed DHSC and NHSE on when they could deliver this. DHSC said that it is not possible to give a timeframe, but that some reform is “fairly imminent”, and that it could look to provide a timeframe on what can be done within the current framework, while beyond that much rests with political decisions.25 In written evidence following our session, NHSE and DHSC told us that they are working with representatives of the dental sector and patient groups to “fully consider the options at pace”, and that while these fundamental reforms are being developed work is ongoing on medium–term changes to improve the current NHS dental contract.26
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the principle of contract reform, stating work is underway but a specific timeframe will be determined following further consultation due to the complexity and risks involved.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: to be advised 1.2 To rebuild dentistry in the long term, work on the government’s ambition to reform the dental contract with a shift to focus on prevention and the retention of NHS dentists is underway. There are no perfect payment models and careful consideration needs to be given to any potential changes to the complex dental system so that genuine improvements for patients and the profession can be delivered. There are risks of destabilising the current system, and a realistic timetable for the introduction of a new contract will be determined by the scale of changes under consideration and following consultation. 1.3 The government is continuing to work with the British Dental Association and other representatives of the dental sector to deliver the shared ambition to improve access to treatments for NHS dental patients, whilst at the same time, considering what other improvements can be made to incentivise the workforce to deliver more NHS care. The government recognises the importance of working with the wide range of dental care professionals, commissioners and importantly, patients and the public, to inform a new and improved dental contract for England, upon which the government expects to consult publicly.