Trends and Predictions
Dentistry in the UK is enjoying a sustained boom, despite the credit crunch, worries about the economy, adverse media stories and the new NHS contract. Demand for dental services by the public continues to grow, even in the face of higher fuel costs and the price of food.
Here are a few predications for future trends over the coming months and years…
Looking to the future
PCTs have been given additional funds (which must be spent on dentistry) and they must meet targets for patients being able to access services. It was announced in August that over one million units of dental activity had been commissioned; this is in addition to many newly established practices which have been opened in the past year. This may lead to higher spending on both equipment and consumables.
Dentists are increasing their spending, although how much of this is accounted for by NHS expenses and how much because of increased spending by the private sector may never be known with any accuracy. Over half of the increase in spending comes from three categories of products: endodontics, oral hygiene and headpieces. The increased use of single use endodontic instruments, following the Chief Dental Officers’ guidance, may account for the additional spending in this category.
The higher spending on these items may point to two further trends, cross infection control and prevention. For most of 2007 and 2008 the profession has awaited revised guidance on cross infection procedures from the Department of Health. Practices will need to review the equipment and materials they use to fulfil the new requirements – where better than at Showcase, where you can receive the most up to date advice.
Prevention is often the rationale for practices converting to private dentistry, but it is also an aspiration of the NHS and was one of the objectives of the contract changes in 2006. Although many dentists feel that effective prevention is no more deliverable under the new contract than the old, it still remains an aspiration of the NHS. Last year the Department published a Toolkit to help dentists expand prevention within their practices and this aspect is well worth discovering at Showcase.
Private dentistry
The really big trend in dentistry is the growth of the private sector over the last ten years, accelerated by the unpopular NHS contract two years ago. A year ago Government figures from HM Revenue and Customs showed that over half of dentists’ income came from private work.
More recently the Healthcare Commission published its survey of patients’ views on primary care. These showed that, although half the population visited a dentist under the NHS, about a quarter saw a dentist privately, with the remaining quarter not being seen on a regular basis. The growth seen in dentistry over the last few years has come almost exclusively from the private sector.
It is no coincidence therefore that some of the most crowded stands at Showcase are those offering private plans. This move into the private sector is also seen in practices upgrading their facilities and, despite the credit crunch, finding the finance to do this. There are stands at Showcase to take you through the whole process of practice design, equipment, computer upgrading, website design, marketing and financial services.
The move towards private practice is also seen in sales of consumables. Over the past year, significant growth was seen in sales of silicones, diamonds, glass ionomers, composites and adhesives, all probably reflecting a growth in the private sector.
Laboratories
Dental laboratories suffered a drop of over half in the amount of NHS work being ordered by practices during the first year of the new contract. The most important issues of concern to UK laboratory owners today are staying busy, new contract and regulatory issues and business growth, with a growing amount of work being sent to overseas labs.
A recent survey of laboratory owners found that a major trend affecting them was the growing shift from NHS to private work. On average, they reported 45% of their turnover coming from NHS sources in 2008 versus 50% in the previous year. Private work grew to 54% in 2008 from 50% in the previous year. Approximately one-third of labs (31%) said that 80% or more of their turnover came from private cases with one-fifth of respondents only doing private work.
Laboratories appear to be turning the tide and, as dentistry in the private sector grows, so will the demand for high quality laboratory work.
Regulation and education
Since the end of July all members of the dental team, including for the first time dental nurses and technicians, have had to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
Registration comes with the requirements to have indemnity and maintain continuing professional development. The professional associations, for dentists and dental care professionals, will be at Showcase along with indemnity organisations and many holding educational courses. Showcase also provides an opportunity for the dental team to gain CPD hours and a programme of complimentary seminars are being offered to visitors this year covering the core subjects recommended by the GDC (subject to availability).
There is also move towards increased regulation by PCTs and other NHS bodies. But the development that may affect dentists most is the advent of the Care Quality Commission which will have wide powers across the whole of health and social care. Most significantly for dentists, it will be charged with overseeing both NHS and private practices. It will be ever more important in the future to be up to date with the latest regulations, products and services.
Reserve your ticket now!
You can reserve your complimentary ticket by clicking here, telephoning the registration hotline on 01494 729959 or texting your name, address, occupation and GDC no. to: 07786 206 276. Advance registration closes 26 September 2008. On the day registration: £10 per person.
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