In written evidence to the House of Commons public accounts committee inquiry into 'Fixing NHS Dentistry', the DDU explains that without urgent action, access to NHS dentistry will remain a challenge.
The DDU continues to call for a solution to disproportionately high legal costs for clinical negligence claims, so this money can be redirected into NHS services. The nature of dentistry means that most claims would come to less than the £25,000 threshold announced in 2023, but fixed recoverable costs in these lower value cases has yet to be introduced.
In their evidence, the DDU also expressed concerns about the timeliness of fitness to practice procedures. The most recent Professional Standards Authority (PSA) report shows that GDC fitness to practice investigations can take on average 140 weeks from beginning to completion.
These prolonged investigations can have a negative impact on the wellbeing of the practitioner in question. Indeed, the DDU has found that a significant number of dental practitioners are looking to leave practice or reduce their hours due to stress and/or mental ill-health. NHS Practitioner Health has helped to address this, but funding for this programme is not guaranteed long term.
Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, said:
"We welcome this review of NHS dentistry and are acutely aware of the challenges patients face in accessing NHS services.
"We believe this is being heightened by unnecessarily lengthy fitness to practice investigations, which can reduce NHS capacity and put additional pressure on an already stretched workforce.
"DDU members tell us that undergoing a fitness to practice investigation is amongst the most difficult experiences in their professional lives and can have a severe impact on their health and wellbeing.
"A fairer, more timely and more proportionate model of regulation could help ease the burden on our dental practitioners and our NHS.
"This reform has long been promised but has yet to materialise. The DDU continues to call for it on behalf of our members."
This page was correct at publication on 03/02/2025. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.