Polly Bhambra discusses the future of dentistry with Neil Charmichael.
For a large percentage of the profession, many of us will at some point or another work in a dental group, also known as a dental corporate.
These corporates service a large proportion of the NHS provision, as well as private treatments too.
One of the groups representing dental corporates is the Association of Dental Groups.
Neil Charmichael is the chair of the ADG. I sat down with him recently to better understand what dentistry looks like from his perspective.
Polly Bhambra (PB): How are things in general for dental groups at the moment?
Neil Charmichael (NC): Recruitment continues to be of huge concern to ADG members.
But the recent ‘adjustments’ to the NHS contract, such as the patient premium, has had a reasonably positive impact but only where there is sufficient dentistry capacity.
Private dentistry is also impacted by the shortage of available dentists.
PB: What are your thoughts on the current dental recruitment crisis and how do you feel it should be resolved?
NC: The recruitment crisis can be tackled in four ways:
Long term by raising the cap on students at dental schools
More immediately – and urgently – through increasing the pace and capacity of the overseas registration examination
Pre-registration of dentists is also on the agenda as an idea. The ADG is keen to support the implementation of this measure. But it would stress the importance of ensuring high quality entrants at all points
Mutual recognition of qualifications would be helpful. And, while this is fraught with complications, providing suitable training for international applicants would be beneficial.
PB: What is the general shift for groups – acquisition or consolidation – and why?
NC: Acquisition featured strongly last year.
But the big story currently seems to be the emergence of smaller groups keen to expand and ‘growth through purchase’ of medium sized groups.
PB: How is the current NHS system impacting dental groups and how much involvement are they having in helping resolve the backlog?
NC: Delivery of contacts is dependent on having a full complement of dentists.
The ADG is continuing to work with the General Dental Council and, in addition to the normal routine of meetings with agencies and the Department, it is engaging with the new government at ministerial level.
PB: Some dental groups and corporates have in the past received a bad reputation by employees. Is this reputation justified and have you noticed a shift in recent years?
NC: The AGD is developing a ‘kitemark’ approach for new members and promotes a focus on good practice.
It must be stressed that dentists are self-employed and therefore not ‘employees’ and this extends to therapists and hygienists.
The reputation of groups – especially during the difficult period of Covid – has been consistent with good practice. And constructive relationships between groups and associates have further embedded.
The ADG does not account for all groups, but there is evidence of groups seeking to emulate the approach of the ADG.
PB: It feels like there’s an ever-growing group of dental corporates and it’s difficult for individual dentists to purchase and grow their own practice. Is this the case in reality?
NC: Groups represent approximately 27-28% of dental practices. So there is still plenty of scope for groups to be created or to expand.
The key to success is to develop groups in a paced and structured manner, always built on sustainable and patient-focused fundamentals.
PB: What does the future look like for the dentistry and the ADG?
NC: It is vital to think of dentistry as whole, encompassing several valued professions; groups enable this to happen, and they innovate and introduce modern technologies.
The next significant development in the sector will be further enhanced patient service by investing in technology.
Another point to underline is the mixed economy of dentistry where private, NHS and community dentistry all contribute in providing dentistry – the ADG represents them all.
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