1. Training pack for practices Introduction to dental contract reform

2. Objective of the dental contract reform programme – Prototypes
The objective of the dental contract reform programme is:
To maintain or improve access
Improve oral health
Within the current financial envelope
In a way that is financially sustainable for dental practices, patients, and commissioners.

3. Support for change
The reform of the current dental contract is a well-established aim of this and successive governments.
It was repeated as a 2017 manifesto commitment
“We will support NHS dentistry to improve
coverage and reform contracts so that we pay for better outcomes, particularly for
deprived children.”

4. Why are we doing this?
This is the direction of travel for NHS services as put forward in Securing Excellence in Dentistry and the Five Year Forward View.
We need to check reformed contract will achieve its goals of improving access and oral health whilst being affordable.
We need to test out practical issues prior to any national roll-out.

5. Introduction to prototyping
Running since early 2016
Preventive pathway approach is at the heart of the programme
The prototypes are based on a blended remuneration system where the contract value is split between capitation and activity
Are measured (not paid) against clinical and patient indicators in the Dental Quality and Outcomes Framework (DQOF)
There are two blends, blend A and blend B
Both blends are majority capitation

6. The two prototype blends – a summary
Blend A – the capitation element covers band 1 care and the activity covers band 2 and band 3 care
Blend B – the capitation element covers band 1 and band 2 care and the activity covers band 3 care
Practices will be expected to deliver all necessary care to each patient on their list within their overall contract value

7. Introduction to prototyping
Both blends use the same clinical pathway approach
Contract values remain the same as UDA contract value and practices are paid 1/12th each month
Up to 10% of the contract value is at risk if capitation and activity levels are not met
Up to 2% of the contract value will be recognised where capitation and activity levels are exceeded
The regulations that underpin the prototype programme currently run until 31 March 2020

8. High level prototype timeline
Proposals for prototyping published
Call for expressions of interest
Prototypes selected – two stage process
Spring 2015
Prototypes start to go live
Early 2016
Start Prototyping
Prototypes running for necessary amount of time to extract learning
Scaling up/stress testing
Wave 4 go live commences October 2018
Further testing & potential start of roll out