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OFT calls for major revamp of dentistry market

John Fitzsimons
by Lovemoney Staff John Fitzsimons on 29 May 2012  |  Comments 9 comments

OFT investigation finds dentists charging for treatment we could get free on the NHS!

OFT calls for major revamp of dentistry market

Dentists are letting patients down by providing insufficient information and pushing them towards paying for treatments they could get free on the NHS.

That’s the findings of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which has demanded a significant revamp of the market to ensure we are all in a position to make more informed decisions about our dental care.

Working in our best interests

A market study by the OFT found that patients are often provided with insufficient information to make informed decisions about which dentist to choose and which treatments are right for their circumstances.

What’s more, around 500,000 patients each year are pushed towards paying for private dental treatment, which they could receive for free on the NHS.

The OFT also raised concerns about how difficult it is for patients to access dental care professionals, like hygienists, without getting a referral from a dentist first. This practice restricts patient choice and also limits competition, the body warned.

Changing for the better

The OFT suggested a number of changes that it believes will make things easier for us when looking for dental care.

Clear, accurate information
The General Dental Council and Care Quality Commission need to be proactive in enforcing current rules which oblige dentists and dental practices to provide clear, accurate and timely information about the range of treatments available and exactly how much they will cost.

Direct access to professionals
Ditch restrictions that stop patients from making appointments to see hygienists, dental therapists and dental technicians directly.

Reform NHS dental contract in England
The Department of Health should adjust the dental contract to make it easier for new practices to enter the market and existing ones to expand.

Simplify the complaints process
A new system which is simpler, easier and less time consuming for both patients and dentists is needed.

Dental plans
A robust code of practice covering the sale of dental payment plans is needed. The British Dental Association has already agreed to develop this.

To ensure you don’t pay through the nose for healthy teeth, read Cut the cost of a healthy mouth!

What do you think? What have your recent experiences of the dentistry market been like? Are these changes needed? Let us know in the comment box below.

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Comments (9)

  • Talent
    Love rating 77
    Talent said

    Here we go again, the dickbrains in charge always start off pushing the voluntary code route for any and every service. They know it won't work but they are always leaned on by by vested interests that don't do what they should.... some time down the line someone says "Hey, it's not working". Really?

    Actually, I'm all for voluntary codes, surprisingly. I'm also for penalties, mandatory penalties, severe penalties.... when do we want them, now. When will we get them, never!

    Report on 29 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • electricblue
    Love rating 643
    electricblue said

    So, we know that politicians are all crooked. We all hate solicitors, business owners, bankers and anyone who makes money. Doctors, as we all know are all lazy and over paid and teachers are useless. Now we add dentists to this list as they must, like all the other professions, spend years to qualify with the primary intention of ripping us off. Clearly the only people left on the planet with altruistic aims and real talent must be Lovemoney journalists.

    We seem to be descending into the politics of Maoism with a touch of nostalgia for the French Revolution. I don't know how honest our dentists are, but please get a grip. I'd also suspect that anyone with the online nickname of 'Talent' is least likely to have any.

    Report on 29 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • oldhenry
    Love rating 265
    oldhenry said

    The fact is that every 'reform' of the health service results in higher pay for the professionals involved. I know this as I live opposite a consultant surgeon and he tells me how nice Blair was to up his salary by so much that he can change his 7 series BMW every two years now , insted of three before.

    As fo dentists , well , the dentist near me would not be seemn in a poor 7 series BMW. He has a AMG model and is wife a Range Rover HSE.

    Of course dentists are business people , they make money as much as possible to cover their overheads and lifestyle requiremnts. You would expect them to sell you the dearest of anything , as would a car showroom sales person.

    Well go elsewhere. I have a NHS dentist and always have had who does not do 'ear to ear ' dentistry

    Shop around do not put up with being oversold. If the treatment recommeded sounds mad go elsewhere.

    Report on 30 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • LiamT
    Love rating 45
    LiamT said

    oldhenry - not as easy as you say. i moved to my current city years ago and it took me years to get an NHS dentist. no way im paying £150 a year just to be part of a private dentist's list. then pay over the top for any work.

    we all pay for NHS dentists in NI and tax yet many cant get in one and are charged again.

    Report on 30 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • RoKUNZ
    Love rating 0
    RoKUNZ said

    Why do we have a shortage of NHS Dentists? Why doesn't part of the training include being made to work for the NHS for example 5-10 years after qualifying to give back something, especially if the training was provided free. They do this in other countries when candidates cannot afford the course fees but meet entry requirements and that way, we may gain exceptional dentists for the future and more cost effective dentistry. I cannot gain entry to free NHS dentists so been made to pay for all dental care for a number of years.

    Report on 30 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • THEWEBMEISTER
    Love rating 0
    THEWEBMEISTER said

    This is a very difficult subject to tackle, I am a dentist with 20 + years in the nhs.

    Unfortunately much of the media coverage is frankly wrong in its facts and assertions, and is produced to be sensational.

    Most people trust their dental professionals to do what is best for them and if asked are happy with their own dentist, studies have even shown most people would'nt change dentists at any price.

    There is currently a banding system for nhs dentistry of 1) An examination and routine cleaning as necessary at a cost of £17.5

    2) fillings and root fillings ( as many as needed) and many other treatments usually routine at a cost of £48

    3) crowns dentures and most things made in a laboratory to be fitted to your mouth at a cost of £209

    Treatments would only be free for exempt patients due to age or receipt of benefit or pregnant/ nursing mothers. These groups would still pay for any private/cosmetic treatment.

    Certain items of treatment are prohibited under the nhs for example tooth coloured fillings and crowns on back teeth, and would therefore be offered to patients privately on request at an agreed fee as would most cosmetic treatments.

    Dentists have an obligation to provide each and every patient with a treatment plan detailing the nhs costs incurred and any private options incurring a charge, people should make sure they know what they are getting unless the plan of action may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

    There is confusion as to how most dentists are payed in the nhs , they do not receive a salary but provide a in the main a completely independent business which then contracts services to the nhs under locally set rates of pay for a unit of dental activity, which can vary from £18 to £28 dependent on how the dentist is located and the local pct commisioning process, which aims to drive prices down where there is more competition.

    The dentist must decide on a business basis whether it is worth while to tender or leave the nhs, some have even had long term contracts removed from them for no good reason other than a better offer to the pct which means patients must find a new home for their treatment needs even half way through a course of treatment leaving the dentist's business high and dry or reliance on private work only.

    This is just a flavour of the problems on the ground, remember what I said above you won't go far wrong but use a bit of common sense if you trust your own particular dentist don't jump on the bashing band wagon. If you need an Nhs dentist contact your local primary care trust who are obliged to provide you with details of dentists in your area

    Report on 30 May 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • Graham1963
    Love rating 0
    Graham1963 said

    Seems to a lot of Polish running the NHS dentists now, but 3 times I had to return for an anti-biotic didn't rid the abscess I had, each time I filled in a NHS card for their expenses.

    Either they had no clue or they do it to gain more expenses

    Report on 03 June 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • RocketSteve
    Love rating 30
    RocketSteve said

    Last trip to private dentist and I just got the feeling that I was funding his next merc! I've never returned and now found an NHS dentist. Although my childhood experience of dentists leaves me nothing but contempt for a group of butchers and using the word professional is a slight against all other professions - including the oldest one!

    Report on 05 June 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves
  • edwardmk2879
    Love rating 57
    edwardmk2879 said

    Good post Webmeister. I'm a dentist too, and like you sigh when these dentist bashing articles get trotted out. I used to respond franticly in detail to provide the counter point of view required for balanced journalism, but came to realise that the general purpose of headlines is to attract attention and 'sell' the article/paper. Balanced arguments and facts come a distant second or third. I'll just continue to provide a first class service to my own lovely patients and share a laugh with them when we discuss anti-dentist articles. Sure there are good and bad out there in every profession. I'm good and try hard and don't overcharge or mislead, and I'm sure you're the same. No hyperlink or address provided so no-one can find me to vent their spleen against dentists like RocketSteve

    Report on 05 June 2012  |  Love thisLove  0 loves

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