Dentistry plans set to give customers more choice

New measures to force private dentists to provide clearer information on prices and treatments to help patients make informed choices and increase competition, have been announced by the government today.

The main measures outlined are aimed at ensuring that dental practices clearly display information on prices to consumers and give patients written treatment plans and itemised accounts for treatment carried out.

The announcement is in response to an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), which highlighted a number of concerns about the private dentistry market.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The market for private dentistry is not working as well as it should be. Consumers often lack basic information on prices, the quality of services and what treatments are available on the NHS to help them make informed choices.

"The measures outlined today will ensure that dentists offering private treatments are more responsive in meeting patient's needs, while not imposing any unnecessary restrictions on the private dentistry business."

The General Dental Council will also be given new sanctions - to be activated in 2004 – to effectively deal with dentists who are found guilty of misconduct.

The OFT will be launching an information campaign on July 3 to help consumers make informed decisions about dental care.

In its response, the British Dental Association (BDA), which has 20,000 members, insisted that private dentistry offers patients more time and choice, better services, and includes cosmetic options.

The BDA welcomed an increase in competition saying that there was a direct correlation between well managed and well equipped practices, and those practices which were more dependent on private appointments rather than NHS referrals.

(GMcG)