BDA: Complex rules causing consumer pricing confusion

The British Dental Association (BDA) has highlighted the systemic challenges that UK dentists are facing, following recent criticism of the clarity of their pricing information.

A Which? campaign launched earlier this week took the British dental sector to task for failing to explain costs clearly to patients, as well as for being overly vague about which NHS treatment options patients may be entitled to.

The BDA has conceded that these issues are legitimate, but suggests the government has not done enough to devise a coherent NHS contract for dentists or been transparent enough about what the NHS will pay for.

As such, it is a challenge for dentists to understand, process and convey all of this information at the same time as discussing the technical details of clinical treatment options, meaning the system is failing staff as well as patients.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA, also highlighted NHS England data from earlier this month showing that 84 percent of recent dental patients viewed their experience as positive, suggesting most are still broadly happy with the treatment they are offered.

He added: "We take our responsibilities seriously, but the government must do more to remove the potential for conflict or confusion. We need an NHS offer for patients and an NHS contract for dentists that are clear to all."