Meeting of the Parliament 08 February 2023
Give me one moment to make some progress.
There is now a clear necessity to provide continued support to the sector as we move to the payment system reform. The improving picture on patient access to care underpins the need for longer-term, sustainable payment system reform to provide surety of NHS provision. The development of the NHS dental payment reform has been built in the spirit of clear engagement with the sector; indeed, I am really pleased to report to members that the chief dental officer’s advisory group, which contains practising NHS dentists and members of the dental team, has been prominent in developing the clinical requirements of those reforms, building on our oral health improvement plan approach.
In discussion and engagement with the British Dental Association Scotland, there has been further development of the payment system reform programme, which is informing us on the correct course to take to seek agreement on the overall package of reform.
Members will welcome the open approach to the development of reform with a focus on preventative care. The payment system reform supports enhanced clinical discretion and will support clinicians to deliver effective, high-quality care to patients.