Dental contract reform: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Embarking on dental contract reform is not without its risks. The current piloting for reform of the National Health Service (NHS) contract is testing a number of elements to contribute towards the development of a very different way of delivering NHS dental services, the core of which would be capitation, quality and outcomes, and a clinical care pathway approach. Early learning from the first year of piloting confirms a high level of satisfaction from both patients and practice staff with the care pathway approach, especially its emphasis on prevention. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain in designing the detail of a contract that will deliver the required outcomes for patients, service commissioners and the dental team.