Dental care in the NHS: reforms with teeth?
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Updated: Oct 23, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
1Department of Public Health, University of Aberdeen, UK.
Abstract:
Dental services in the UK are currently undergoing a period of major upheaval. This paper examines recent policy initiatives with respect to patient charges, dentists' remuneration, information and patient choice, the supply of dental personnel, and the prevention of dental diseases. It is argued that changes in dentists' remuneration and the greater use of auxiliary personnel are likely to improve efficiency, whereas changes in patient charges are not. Water fluoridation remains the most efficient and equitable means of promoting dental health.
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