Question reference: S6W-17969
- Date lodged: 15 May 2023
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Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 30 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason it has reportedly delayed its dental reform plans, which were initially due to be announced in April 2023, and what assessment it has made of the potential impacts of this decision on the dental sector, including the number of dentists conducting NHS work.
Answer
Scottish Government is committed to implement payment reform from 1 November 2023. It was confirmed to the sector on 20 March 2023 that the timeline for the payment reform showcase was necessarily delayed by the process to replace the First Minister. The sector retains financial support until 31 October to support the delivery of services until the implementation of payment reform.
The current position is that the payment reform discussions with the British Dental Association (BDA) have begun on 10 May 2023. It is intended to that an announcement to the dental profession will be available in early summer.