title: The NHS reform programme: implications for dental public health and the community dental services.
abstract: The structure and funding of the National Health Service in the United Kingdom has undergone major changes in recent years. A survey was conducted among senior personnel working within the dental public health and the community dental services to identify their roles and responsibilities, their views on the effects of the changes, and the future opportunities and challenges. A response rate of 76 per cent was obtained using a postal questionnaire. In general the reforms were viewed as positive, although purchasers were consistently more optimistic than providers. The survey also highlighted that until the uncertainty surrounding the future direction of oral health care services has been clarified, the future role of senior personnel within the Community Dental Service and dental public health will remain unclear.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Public Health, London Hospital Medical College, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Batchelor
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Plamping
mesh_terms: D000288:Administrative Personnel; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D003191:Comprehensive Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003253:Consultants; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D003752:Dental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011636:Public Health Dentistry / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce