The advantages and disadvantages of providing minor oral surgery in primary care

Abstract

The National Health Service (NHS) has recently been faced with increasing government targets at the same time as increasing spending cuts. Within the current fiscal constraints, the NHS is expected to deliver quality services while at the same time ensuring value for money.1 Since 1995 there have been developments to move the delivery of specialist dental care into the primary healthcare sector. This followed a report by the Chief Dental Officer (CDO) for England, who reviewed the arrangements for specialist training in dentistry.2 To keep in line with Europe, the CDO also recommended an increase in the provision of specialist dental care provided in the primary care setting.