limited companies for dentists | dental tax | dentist accountants
TRANSCRIPT
No More MoneyA few weeks ago, in early July, I attended the Westminster Health Forum
in London where Barry Cockcroft, the Chief Dental Officer, made it clear that there was no more money available for NHS Dentistry. It was quite clear that funding for NHS dentistry has dried up, and the removal of the ring fencing of the dental budget earlier in the year makes it even more unlikely that more money will become available for dentistry.
Interestingly, the panel of speakers included hygienist and therapists representatives, indicating that such professionals will play a much larger part in the new contract.
In addition, in the last 12 months we have seen very few NHS tenders available, and with the Department of Health (DoH) not giving a clear timetable for delivering a new contract does make one question about the future of NHS dentistry. Currently the DoH is consulting with the profession about what the new contract will be, however, reading between the lines, and perhaps being a cynic, the DoH will deliver ultimately what the government wants.
Whilst I am sure there will always be NHS dentistry, I think we can be clear in saying it will be delivered on the government’s terms and not dentists. I think the writing is on the wall, NHS dentistry funding is under pressure, and the choices for NHS dentists are limited.In my personal opinion, the government have NHS dentists where they want them to be, what happens next, no-one knows, but i think we have a few interesting years ahead of us.
Private practice
As I am sure you have read previously, I am a big advocate of taking control of your own destiny, and not being controlled by one customer, like the NHS. If the NHS turns off the tap, or if the contract is significantly onerous problems will arise.
I personally believe becoming much more commercially minded in controlling one’s own destiny is critical to success in the future in dentistry. Becoming more business and marketing minded, yet delivering a high level of care to your patients is essential as the market for patients becomes more sophisticated.