BDA calls for new dental contract to protect practice stability

The British Dental Association (BDA) has underlined the importance of preserving the financial stability of English dental practices when the dental contract is next updated.

In a speech to the 2013 Conference of Local Dental Committees, BDA General Dental Practice Committee chair Dr John Milne has called for an income guarantee to protect practices and their patients.

Such a guarantee would be similar to that previously provided to general medical practitioners and would help to avoid the mismatch between funding and workload seen by the 2006 contract, which has left many dentists in a difficult financial position.

Dr Milne also issued a warning that the recently introduced NHS Local Area Teams will need to be provided with an appropriate amount of funding to ensure they can fully engage dental expertise and carry out their responsibilities effectively.

Last month, a petition organised by the BDA opposing restrictions to the availability of health service dental treatment in Northern Ireland gained widespread support, with more than 8,700 signatures received.