Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted in Part
Integrated Care Boards hold delegated responsibility and flexibilities for local dental service commissioning
Conclusion
Responsibility for commissioning dental services was delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) in April 2023.62 Within the national dental contractual framework, ICBs have some flexibilities that NHSE says should help them to tailor services to meet specific population needs.63 This includes the ability to commission additional services, and to support practices that receive lower payments for each UDA they deliver. The NAO’s report outlines how some ICBs have used these flexibilities, for example through raising the minimum UDA value in their area to £30 (rather than the national minimum of £28), or through initiatives such as Greater Manchester’s dental access quality scheme.64
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of strengthening engagement with ICBs and reaffirms their crucial role in local decision-making and dental contract reform. NHSE is actively engaging ICBs on policy implementation and will further enhance this through engagement and wider consultation on 2026 Payment and Quality reforms.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented: April 2025 4.2 Whilst NHSE sought to engage ICBs and regional colleagues in the development of the Dental Recovery Plan (DRP) NHSE acknowledge that there is more to do to strengthen relationships, and this is an ongoing activity. Local areas know the needs of their population best and are best placed to make decisions about how care is delivered and the priorities for investment. Since the DRP was published NHSE has taken active steps to engage with ICB and regional colleagues on key areas of government policy, evidenced by our work with ICBs in preparing for the delivery of the government’s commitment on 700,000 additional urgent dental appointments from April 2025. 4.3 The aim of this engagement has been to understand ICB concerns and to ensure a shared understanding of the policy and how it is to be implemented. 4.4 NHSE has also undertaken engagement with ICB and regional colleagues on the detail of the Payment and Quality reforms planned for 2026. This will be further enhanced by ICBs, and other stakeholders, having the opportunity to engage in a wider consultation. 4.5 The government continues to engage with key stakeholders and representatives of the dental sector to deliver the shared ambition to reform the dental contract in order to improve access to treatments for NHS dental patients. ICBs are crucial to achieving this ambition.