The ability to successfully include primary dental care practitioners in commissioning groups

To evaluate two total purchasing (TP) sites and ascertain whether general dental practitioners (GDPs) could be successfully included in the total purchasing model of health care commissioning. Another objective was to examine the role GDPs may play in future primary care commissioning groups and trusts.

An observational cross-sectional study of two dental purchasing pilots in the North West Region.

Two TP sites were studied, one in South Cheshire, the other East Lancashire. Each TP organisation had a dental subgroup which had a formal structure and was given an active role in dental healthcare service decision making.

General dental practitioners' ability to manage dental health care provision in the selected sites and the suitability and effectiveness of the services managed by them.

GDPs were willing and able to form cohesive primary care commissioning organisations but attitudes in secondary care prevented the implementation of their decisions.

Structural, organisational and psychological changes would be necessary if GDP led purchasing were to be successfully implemented. Such changes are vital if GDPs and the dental profession are to have an effective role in the newly formed primary care groups and trusts.