Skills mix to remain a priority

  Posted by: Dental Design      10th July 2018

In recent years, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has actively advocated the effective use of skills mix, and how it could be introduced to help deliver treatment in more efficient and innovative ways.

“It is a firm belief of the entire Association that better use of an individual’s scope of practice would not only benefit the whole dental team but the patient too,” says Richard Ablett, Clinical Director of the ADG. “The wider use of skills mix may also provide part of the solution to future workforce supply issues moving forward, though of course contract reform will need to ensure that NHS regulations facilitate payment for DCP delivered treatment.”

The use of skills mix was a topic recently presented to Health Education England by the Business Services Authority. The presentation concluded that although a significant amount of treatment falls within dental care professionals’ (DCP) scope of practice they were unclear how treatment delivered by DCPs fits with the current NHS Dental Regulations.

The ADG will continue its work in helping to facilitate the implementation of skills mix. To stay up to date, visit the Association’s website.

For more information about the ADG visit www.dentalgroups.co.uk