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Consultation on the draft National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005: Consultation outcome

The draft National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 have been the subject of a twelve week public consultation. 238 responses to the questionnaire were received as well as nearly 200 written responses. The responses and subsequent action are summarised in this document.

Broadly, consumer representatives were cautiously supportive of the proposals but had some concerns about particular aspects of the proposals.  Patients and the public agreed that a new dental charging system was needed and were in support of many of the aims of the proposals and aspects of the proposals themselves but did not agree that the proposed 3 banded charging system would be fair.  They did however agree that it would improve affordability for those with high treatment needs. 

The BDA were represented on the review group and initially supported the 3 banded charging system and the review group report.  Of those responding to the consultation, dentists and their professional bodies were broadly against the proposals.  The BDA said they did not consider the banded system as necessarily fair and considered it did little to promote a preventive approach to dentistry.

The Department accepts that further information needs to be given to both the profession and the public to explain the way the new system will work and to explain its benefits given that most people agreed that dental charging needed an overhaul.

• Download Outcome of the consultation on the draft National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 (PDF, 205K)