Nhs Dentistry Review
The purpose of this analysis is to identify the key findings in “NHS dental services in England – An independent review led by Professor Jimmy Steele”. The reasons for the commission of the report will be explained and the main findings will be compared with other sources.
In 2009 Professor Jimmy Steele – practicing Dental consultant, researcher and the current head of the Dental institute at Newcastle University – led a review into National Health Service (NHS) Dental services in England. The aim of the review is to provide advice to the Government on how NHS dentistry could “become more accessible and efficient, be delivered to a higher quality and be more preventively focused”(1). Professor Steele and his review team did this by determining the problems in NHS dentistry, reviewing the core principles of the NHS and how they apply to dentistry and finally once there is a clear picture of NHS dentistry and its pros and cons from multiple viewpoints was obtained the review team were able to specify and recommend solutions as well as identify who would be responsible for delivering the changes.
The research team began outlining the history of dentistry in the NHS. Prior to the birth of the National Health Service, in 1948, oral health in England was very poor and extraction was favored over treatment (2). Oral health is defined as a standard of health related to the oral and related tissues that allow the individual to eat, speak and socialize without discomfort or embarrassment (3). Patient charges were brought in after three years. Although oral health improved, one area seemed to stagnate and that was that the system focused on treatment rather than prevention. Patients were not taking “responsibility for their oral health”(4) or being advised to do so. The cited improvement in oral health in the UK is backed up by studies referenced in Dental Public Health – A Primer by Patel & Patel. The percentage of edentulous (lacking teeth) adults declined from
In 2009 Professor Jimmy Steele – practicing Dental consultant, researcher and the current head of the Dental institute at Newcastle University – led a review into National Health Service (NHS) Dental services in England. The aim of the review is to provide advice to the Government on how NHS dentistry could “become more accessible and efficient, be delivered to a higher quality and be more preventively focused”(1). Professor Steele and his review team did this by determining the problems in NHS dentistry, reviewing the core principles of the NHS and how they apply to dentistry and finally once there is a clear picture of NHS dentistry and its pros and cons from multiple viewpoints was obtained the review team were able to specify and recommend solutions as well as identify who would be responsible for delivering the changes.
The research team began outlining the history of dentistry in the NHS. Prior to the birth of the National Health Service, in 1948, oral health in England was very poor and extraction was favored over treatment (2). Oral health is defined as a standard of health related to the oral and related tissues that allow the individual to eat, speak and socialize without discomfort or embarrassment (3). Patient charges were brought in after three years. Although oral health improved, one area seemed to stagnate and that was that the system focused on treatment rather than prevention. Patients were not taking “responsibility for their oral health”(4) or being advised to do so. The cited improvement in oral health in the UK is backed up by studies referenced in Dental Public Health – A Primer by Patel & Patel. The percentage of edentulous (lacking teeth) adults declined from
References: 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10 ,12. . 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.blackcountry.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/The-Steel-Review.pdf. [Accessed 08 May 2013]. 8, 11. . 2013. . [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.which.co.uk/documents/pdf/independent-review-of-nhs-dentistry-which-response-178905.pdf. [Accessed 14 May 2013]. 3. Meera Patel & Nakul Patel, 2006. Dental Public Health. Edition. Radcliffe Publishing Ltd. p5 5. Patel & Patel, p14 7. Patel & Patel, p46