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NHS direct and access to dental care
1Department of Oral Surgery, Medicine and Pathology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff.
British Dental Journal
|February 2, 2000
Summary
NHS Direct, a 24-hour nurse-led helpline, aims to revolutionize healthcare access, especially for out-of-hours dental care. Many dentists remain unaware of its potential impact on patient access to NHS dentistry.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Public Health Policy
- Dental Public Health
Background:
- NHS Direct is a flagship 24-hour nurse-led telephone helpline initiative within the 'New NHS'.
- The service is expanding rapidly, aiming for nationwide coverage by the end of 2000.
- It is intended to transform access to NHS services, particularly during out-of-hours periods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the concept and early experiences of NHS Direct.
- To explore the potential impact of NHS Direct on accessing NHS dentistry.
- To highlight the lack of awareness and professional debate among dentists regarding this initiative.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive overview of the NHS Direct initiative.
- Analysis of early service implementation and reach.
- Speculative discussion on future implications for dental care access.
Main Results:
- NHS Direct is being rolled out across England, with significant population coverage already achieved.
- The government has indicated a role for NHS Direct in improving access to NHS dentistry.
- There is limited awareness among dentists about NHS Direct and its potential role in dental care.
Conclusions:
- NHS Direct represents a significant shift in accessing healthcare services.
- Its potential to improve access to NHS dentistry requires further consideration and professional engagement.
- Dentists need to be informed about NHS Direct to understand and adapt to its evolving role in patient care.
