The British Dental Association (BDA) has applauded the publication today of Professor Steele’s review of NHS Dentistry, and called on the Government to work constructively with patients and the profession on its findings. The BDA has also urged the Government to heed the report’s recommendation to pilot properly reforms it introduces as a result of this report.
John Milne, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said:
“The BDA is pleased that this report has been published. Professor Steele and his team have clearly listened carefully to patients, dentists and primary care trusts. We have an opportunity to learn from the difficulties of 2006, and it is vital that opportunity is taken.
“The report’s recommendations appear to be far reaching. They describe a new approach to dental care that dentists hope will mean a move away from the target-driven arrangements that are currently in place. Clearly, the detail of how that approach will be delivered will be vital.
“What is important now is that the Government pilots properly the changes it makes and engages fully with the profession and patient groups as we move forward. The BDA looks forward to playing a full part in that process.”
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Notes to editors
Details of the Review are available at: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=403795&SubjectId=2.
The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents over 23,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces.
For further information, please contact the BDA’s media team on 020 7563 4145/6.
