BDA open letter denies endorsement of Friends and Family Test

The British Dental Association (BDA) has written an open letter to clarify its continued lack of endorsement of the new Friends and Family Test (FFT).

Sent to NHS England chief dental officer Barry Cockcroft, the open letter criticises the "misleading" suggestion in recent NHS England documentation that the BDA has agreed to the FFT requirement that was imposed on the profession.

Dr John Milne, chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC), explains in the letter: "Whilst recognising the inevitable implementation of FFT in dentistry, the BDA continues to have reservations about the value of the test to either patients or dentists."

He clarified that the test has been mandated following the regular annual GDPC discussions with NHS England over efficiency savings and accepted by the BDA in that context, rather than because it actively supports the new requirement.

The FFT is being introduced across the NHS and aims to provide patients with an opportunity to give feedback, particularly in terms of whether or not they would recommend service to family members or loved ones.