News yesterday that in the last 8 years the amount of people being admitted to hospital each year with abscesses has doubled suggests, that despite the governments public push for greater access to dentists, the dental crisis is no closer to improvement. It is also reported that the new government contract introduced in 2006 has as yet had little impact. But then again - why would it? Without taking too close an examination there are three fundamental flaws that are immediately apparent with the new contract that was supposed to allow greater access to dentists.
The first is that NHS dentists have now become largely target based. That is to say they are valued at a yearly fee but have to hit a target of UDA’s (Unit of Dental Activity) to ensure that they keep that fee. In effect this can lead to dentists not only being under pressure to see patients quicker (thus making mistakes more likely), but it could also encourage them to perform treatment that may not be necessary but will have a higher UDA value.
The second flaw concerns the route of these abscesses as surely we would be much better trying to focus on prevention rather than cure. With that I mean why not put a higher focus on oral hygiene education? If people are better informed how to look after their teeth and are more aware of what causes their teeth the most damage then surely this would much better tackle the route of the problem?
The third and final problem concerns the fact that the new contract seemingly had the effect of many dentists actually leaving the NHS - surely not a good thing when trying to provide greater access to dentists. It seems that for many dentists the new deal left them a bit short on what they could earn before. And while it’s all very well saying that dentists earn enough money, realistically would any one of us put up with having to take a pay cut for providing the same level of service? I think not.
The fact is the best way to ensure that you aren’t one of those who ends up with a swollen face in casualty then the best thing to do us make sure you look after your teeth and get them checked regularly. A lot of people don’t like going to the dentist but if you haven’t been for years and then wake up one day with a swollen face, don’t be too surprised if your ensuing visit turns into an unpleasent one. The dentist really isn’t a bad place to go if you do it regularly and keep your teeth and gums in check. It might just save a lot of unnecessary suffering and, in extreme cases, even your life!
