The British Dental Association (BDA) has given a qualified welcome to the news that the Welsh Assembly Government is to review the new dental contract in Wales in response to the concerns of dentists, health boards and patients. Edwina Hart, Minister for Health and Social Services, has announced the creation of a task and finish group to look at a range of issues to improve the way the dental contract works.
Stuart Geddes, BDA Director for Wales, said:
"We know from listening to our own members that the new contract is the source of anxieties for many dentists. If the stated aim of providing NHS dentistry to everybody in Wales who wants it is to be achieved, the Welsh Assembly Government must listen to dentists' and patients' concerns. We look forward to working with the administration on this review."
Edwina Hart announced that the remit of the group will also cover the future of the community dental service in Wales. Responding to this announcement, Stuart Geddes sounded a note of caution:
"We are pleased to see moves to strengthen the position of the community dental service in Wales. But it is important that Wales responds to the implications of the review of salaried primary care dentists in England quickly and this should not be held up by this review."
The BDA also welcomed the announcement that a National Oral Health Action Plan for Wales is to be developed. The BDA called for the creation of such a plan in its manifesto for the May 2007 Welsh Assembly elections, pointing out that Wales was the only UK country not to have one.
Notes:
1. The Welsh Assembly Government's announcement is available here.
2. The BDA Wales 2007 manifesto for dentistry is available online here.
3. The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents over 20,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces.
British Dental Association
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