Thursday 21 Sep 2023
What is next for payment reform?
The next steps in the process to payment reform implementation have been outlined by the Scottish Government.
Scotland payment reform information hub
NHS dental services in Scotland face the most significant payment reform changes in a generation, with a new Determination 1, which was devised by the Scottish Government and several regulatory changes, coming in from 1 November 2023.
It's not root and branch reform, but we've secured needed improvements.
Throughout the negotiations we fought to secure the best possible outcome for dentists.
Although discussions focused mostly on costings and fee setting, including securing additional funding for laboratory-based items, we also lobbied for further amendments to the Determination 1 codes and provisos and several regulatory changes, to improve the terms and conditions of service. These included the removal of the provision that prevents NHS and private treatment on the same tooth and updates to Determination V and VI.
New Determination 1 and regulatory changes from 1 November 2023
We have summarised the changes to NHS dental services in Scotland, but stress that this is not a substitute for making a detailed assessment of the core documents listed.
Educational resources and training
The Scottish Government has prepared FAQs which it hopes will help to address any queries dentists may have about applying the new fee items and interpretation of the provisos.
There are other educational resources released on the NHS Education Scotland (NES) TURAS platform that are available for the whole dental team to review, and we encourage all staff to do so. If you do not have an account, you can register for one on the TURAS website.
NES webinars will be held on the 12 and the 25 October 2023. If you do not have a NES Portal account to access the webinars, you can register for one on their website. The webinars will be recorded for anyone who is unable to make these dates and will be available on the TURAS page after they have taken place.
An Extraordinary CPD Allowance will be available to dentists who have their name included in sub-part A of the first part of a health board's dental list, on completion of all live and recorded mandated elements of the Payment Reform training on the TURASs website. The extraordinary CPD Allowance is not subject to abatement. To qualify for the one-off payment of £500 'Extraordinary Dental Reform CPD Allowance' you must meet the criteria as described in PCA(D)(2023)(5).
Payment reform has an impact on the existing claims processes and procedures. Practitioner Services Division have therefore published pages on their website to help dentists and dental teams understand the changes that will take effect from 1 November 2023.
Core documents
July 2023 Announcement
Determination 1 (27 July draft)
September 2023 Announcement
CDO letter on Amendment Regulations
October 2023 Announcement
Scotland Fees Guide
Updated advice
We have updated relevant advice sheets for members to take account of both the changes to the SDR and the GDS regulations.
Further payment reform information
We will continue to support our members during the transition to 1 November 2023 and beyond. We advise members to carefully review the relevant PCA and accompanying documents, including the detailed FAQs, and encourage dentists to take time to review and consider all associated communications and available training.
Scottish Government have advised that contractors are to raise any questions in relation to payment reform in the first instance with their health board.
Extra and Expert members can contact our advice team for one-to-one advice by calling 020 7935 0875 or emailing advice.enquiries@bda.org.
If you'd like to be kept informed about developments on dentistry in Scotland, make sure your details are up-to-date on your MyBDA record and tick the box under 'contact preferences' to get latest news email updates.