Regular Dental Reform Meeting between SG/BDA/SDPC – 18 January 2023
Present: David McColl, Chair of Scottish Dental Practice Committee (SDPC), Josephine Weir, Deputy Chair of SDPC, Charlotte Waite, Director, BDA Scotland, Tom Ferris, Chief Dental Officer, Gillian Leslie, Deputy Chief Dental Officer, Scottish Government officials.
The CDO welcomed everyone to the meeting between Scottish Government and BDA / SDPC regarding dental reform.
BDA / SDPC have been issued the latest iteration of Determination 1 and a spreadsheet to complete which entails pitching timings, materials and lab fees for each treatment item to contribute towards the overall fee structure.
BDA / SDPC were informed that the intention is for the Determination 1 and the fees for treatments to be issued to the sector in April 2023, with the implementation phase commencing thereafter. It was agreed that a discussion with BDA / SDPC will take place in the coming weeks in relation to the methodology of the process of fee setting, no detail in relation to the costings has been shared with BDA / SDPC yet.
The latest iteration of the Determination 1 was discussed in full with BDA / SDPC and feedback was collated regarding the treatment items and other comments. Queries raised by the BDA / SDPC included; the restorative coding approach for multi-surface fillings and multi-canal premolar endodontic coding, the importance that certain phrases such as ‘clinically necessary’ are clearly defined and asked SG to consider what approach could be taken to mixing NHS and private treatment within a single tooth. BDA also suggested that examination time should be measured and remunerated based on the time taken. BDA also mentioned one examination code could not take account of higher caries levels, periodontal state, complex needs and the use of translators etc. BDA also raised concerns that without careful pricing, inequalities could increase. BDA / SDPC committed to provide further feedback on the Determination 1 to SG officials before the next scheduled meeting.