By Tony O’Reilly-
The UK government has announced a significant initiative that will see NHS dentists receiving extra payments for treating new patients.
Effective immediately, participating dental practices will benefit from a substantial premium for each new NHS patient they treat, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s healthcare landscape.
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Under the new scheme, NHS practices across the country will be eligible for payments of up to £50 per new patient, depending on the complexity of treatment required.
This incentive, known as the “New Patient Premium,” is aimed at encouraging dentists to take on individuals who have not received NHS dental care in the past two years, ensuring that crucial oral health services are accessible to all.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its dual benefits for patients and dentists alike.
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“This scheme is good for patients and good for dentists,” she stated. “It will see millions more appointments made available for those who need them, while also rewarding those dentists who are taking on new NHS patients.”
The initiative forms part of a wider strategy to address longstanding challenges within NHS dentistry, with the government and NHS pledging to deliver an additional 2.5 million dental appointments over the next 12 months.
Backed by £200 million in funding, aims to streamline access to dental care and ensure that no patient is left behind.
Primary Care Minister, Andrea Leadsom, underscored the significance of oral health in maintaining overall well-being. “Healthy gums and teeth are crucial for wider good health,” she affirmed.
“This new patient premium will mean [dentists] are able to provide around 2.5 million more dental appointments – giving around a million extra patients the high-quality treatment and care they need.”
The initiative comes at a critical time for the dental sector, which has faced unprecedented challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The dental recovery plan, of which the New Patient Premium is a cornerstone, seeks to support the sector in bouncing back from these challenges and meeting the evolving needs of patients across the country.
Jason Wong MBE, Interim Chief Dental Officer for England, hailed the initiative as a “game-changer” for dental services, emphasizing its potential to enhance access to NHS dentistry for millions of individuals. “Good oral health remains essential for good general health,” Wong remarked. “Now more patients will be able to access NHS dental services thanks to the majority of dental practices across England being eligible to introduce new patient premiums.”
In addition to improving access to dental care, the plan includes measures to bolster the dental workforce and streamline bureaucratic processes.
These efforts are aimed at making NHS dentistry more attractive and sustainable in the long term, ensuring that high-quality oral health services remain accessible to all.
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