Six-month check-ups axed in dental reform

Healthy adults need visit the dentist only once every two years instead of every six months, according to official recommendations being prepared. The scrapping of the half-yearly check-up is part of a major reform of NHS dental services under consideration by ministers

Healthy adults need visit the dentist only once every two years instead of every six months, according to official recommendations being prepared. The scrapping of the half-yearly check-up is part of a major reform of NHS dental services under consideration by ministers

Draft guidelines by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the NHS rationing body, will give dentists much greater discretion in choosing when patients should return for routine examinations.

Although some will be called back after just three months those over 18 in "good oral health" can expect not to have to pay a return visit for two years.

The guidelines, approved by the British Dental Association, will allow dentists to concentrate resources on those most at need, say supporters.

They will be put out for public consultation next month and could be implemented as soon as September.

Senior officials admit that the move is linked to a wider pay deal that is likely to see sweeping changes to the current charging structure.

There are around 600 different charges for NHS dental treatment ranging from the basic routine check-up of £6.80 to the most expensive treatments at £380.

Harry Cayton, an adviser at the Department of Health who is leading a review on dental charges, hinted that it has recommended sweeping changes to the system.

Mr Cayton, who is also the patients' choice tsar, said he hoped to "simplify" the structure for patients and dentists.

The guidelines come at a sensitive time. In February, research indicated that almost four out of 10 Britons cannot afford any dental treatment, while Department of Health figures indicate that 28 million adults and four million children have no access to NHS dentistry, or are choosing to go private.

In 1999, the Prime Minister Tony Blair had promised that everyone in Britain would have access to NHS dentistry by 2001. In 2003, just 44 per cent of adults in England were registered with a state dentist - up just 1.8 per cent on the figure in 2002.

Provision for training new dentists is also attracting criticism from health-care professionals. There are 13 dental schools in Britain, producing a mere 800 graduates a year.

The acute shortage of dentists burst into the spotlight two months ago when a Dutch dentist, Aria Van Drie, opened a clinic at Scarborough and attracted a queue of more than 1,000 people waiting to register. Local health officials had failed to find a UK dentist to take over the practice.