A Review of Skill Mix in Dentistry
In addition to the
dentist, the dental team comprises six groups of dental care
professionals (DCPs): dental therapists, nurses, hygenists,
clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists. DCPs are
required to register with the General Dental Council (GDC) having
successfully completed a recognised training programme.
pharetra quam sit amet urna. Nulla blandit est et The review
sought to assess the contribution DCPs could make to the delivery
of the NHS dental care services through team working / skill mix.
The report identifies the opportunities and barriers to the greater
use of skill mix in dental care, and suggests how commissioners
might take fuller account of the skills of DCPs in commissioning
higher quality, more cost-effective dental services. It includes a
summary of the results of an internet hosted survey which invited
dentists, DCPs and practice managers to provide information on the
current usage of DCPs in general dental practice in England. One of
the main findings of the survey was a widespread lack of
appreciation of the competence and range of duties that can be
carried out by DCPs.
The report also discusses the implication of major relevant
developments such as the improvement in oral health, the planned
transfer of responsibility for the commissioning of both promary
and secondary care dental services to a NHS Commissioning Board.
The relevance of the report to the Quality Innovation Productivity
and Prevention programme (QIPP), which has been developed to
address the effect of the current fiscal constraints upon the NHS,
is also emphasised.