Fears about NHS contract ‘remain prevalent among dentists’

Dental professionals remain highly concerned about the impact the incoming NHS contract will have on their patients, according to an industry survey.

Conducted by Wesleyan, the survey showed that the impact the NHS Contract will have on patients' ability to access essential services tops the list of dentists' concerns, with 68 percent of respondents citing it as one of their biggest fears.

It was also shown that 59 percent are worried about the viability of smaller practices and are predicting closures, while 28 percent are worried about an increase in private dentists.

Additionally, consolidation of practices (25 percent) and an increased demand for dental care professionals (23 percent) were identified as core concerns with the contract, with only four percent of those polled expecting it to have no impact on the profession.

Judith Husband, a dentist and member of Wesleyan's members advisory board, said: "This new research shows that, despite the Steel Review and years of piloting and prototypes, the dental profession remains concerned about the impact on the patient."