Improving access to oral surgery services in primary care.
This paper describes the innovative use of National Health Service (NHS) dental commissioning powers to develop specialist primary care based oral surgery services. The outcomes, after one full year of the scheme, have been substantial improvement in access and reduced waiting times for patients, further development of NHS primary care dental services through commissioning processes, increased use and engagement of oral surgery specialists outside of a hospital setting, and considerable ongoing savings to the NHS. Collaborative working between hospital consultants and managers, Primary Care Trust dental commissioners, general dental practice providers, specialist oral surgeons and a dental public health consultant has resulted in sustainable benefits to patients and the NHS within the World Class Commissioning framework.
NHS London and South West London Primary Care Trusts and NHS, UK. Nick.Kendall@croydonpct.nhs.uk
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D003284:Contract Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D019091:Critical Pathways; D005792:General Practice, Dental / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013218:State Dentistry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013515:Surgery, Oral / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014850:Waiting Lists