Summary
Dental payment mechanisms and role-substitution in NHS dentistry were examined in ¾«¶«´«Ã½-led research by Professor Paul Brocklehurst and revealed that paying NHS dentists using capitation produced significant and rapid reductions in treatment activity. This work also demonstrated non-inferiority for Dental Therapists when managing low-risk NHS patients and determined the conditions that were necessary to promote role-substitution and ‘skill-mix’ in NHS dentistry.
Research lead by ¾«¶«´«Ã½ influenced decisions on national NHS contract reform in Northern Ireland and Wales and underpinned the response to COVID in the former. The research has resulted in policy changes and strategic investment in Wales to support role-substitution and ‘skill-mix’ in NHS dentistry and an All-Wales Faculty for Dental Care Professionals, which was officially launched in January 2020.