DENTISTS

Dentists, like other PCT service providers, are typically private contractors that undertake a service provision agreement with the NHS.

The new Department of Health contract signed in April 2006 sets "a system designed to allow dentists to carry out fewer interventions, to implement guidelines on recall attendances and put the emphasis on oral health advice and prevention" (SHSC 2006). In practice, the system sets new patients charge bands and delegates the budget for dentistry to the PCT.

In Southwark there are 108 Dentists, as well as two Emergency Dental Services located in King's Dental Institute and Guy's Hospital. There is an average of 2267 people per dentist (based on 2001 Census population figures) with a sparse distribution across the Borough.

REFERENCES [TOP]
Southwark Health & Social Care. 2006. Dentists sign up for a new contract. Practice. Southwark PCT website: URL.