In its evidence to the consultation on ‘Model Regions’, that forms part of the merger of NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care, the professional body had underlined the essential role these dentists play at a time of widening inequality, and with the Government attempting a strategic shift from sickness to prevention.
The official response shared with postholders, shows some of the net losses. There were historically 1.85 Whole-Time-Equivalent (WTE) DPH consultant posts built into the South West region. The original consultation proposed 1 WTE in the new region, however the outcome report has increased this to 1.3, following BDA pressure, with support from allies at British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD).
In the Midlands, there were 7 WTE posts built into the region. The original consultation proposed 2 WTE posts move into the new Office of Pan ICB Commissioning (OPIC). The outcomes report has now changed this to 3 WTE posts. However, this additional 1 WTE was secured by turning a Public Health post into a Dental Public Health post.
The full picture in other regions remains unclear, and the BDA is pressing for answers.
BDA Chair Eddie Crouch said:
“We have argued forcibly to defend and expand the vital dental public health role. We’ve made NHS England exercise some restraint here, but it does not go far enough to protect a vital function.
“There is a loss of 58% in the Midlands dental public health workforce, which has some of the most deprived communities in the country where prevention programmes are paramount.
“We’ve curbed these plans, but cuts still run deep, and any protection here shouldn’t be at the expense of Public Health colleagues. These are distinct specialities, and this is not a game of either/or.
“The Government likes to talk the talk on prevention. It will not be able to deliver on that agenda without a serious, long-term commitment to and investment in these expert roles.”