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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · 29d

Given the obvious challenges, why do dentists continue to work for the NHS? My team has conducted research into dentists' motivations and the push-pull factors at play www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Motivations for NHS dentistry in England - British Dental Journal

British Dental Journal - Motivations for NHS dentistry in England

www.nature.com

Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Jul 1

GDPC Chair Shiv Pabary lays out where NHS dental contract reform needs to go:

A blended contract that delivers a long-term preventative patient-dentist relationship, alongside a pathway of care for patients with high treatment needs

www.bda.org/news-and-opi...

Beyond the UDA: Where NHS dentistry goes next

GDPC Chair, Shiv Pabary, on what you need to know about the proposals developed by the GDPC following your feedback.

www.bda.org

Reposted by Tom King

Shiv Pabary MBE @shivparbary.bsky.social · Apr 8

Very constructive first meeting with @skinnock.bsky.social today at DHSC today.

Pleased to be on the same page.

I told the Minister we want to restore the pride dentists once had in this service.

Look forward to working together to rebuild a service millions depend on. @thebda.bsky.social

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Apr 4

Another damning report on the state of NHS dentistry.

This time the Public Accounts Committee says there is no future for the service without reform.

They are completely right.

Now we need Government to act.

committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...

No future for NHS dentistry without reform, warns PAC, as Govt efforts fail to halt decline - Committees - UK Parliament

Verdict delivered on dental contract as not fit for purpose as patients continue to suffer and PAC calls for transparency on necessary fundamental reform

committees.parliament.uk

Reposted by Tom King

British Dental Association @thebda.bsky.social · Mar 20

And part 2…

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Reposted by Tom King

British Dental Association @thebda.bsky.social · Mar 20

"Dental care is health care."

Nick had a dental infection.

Unable to get an appointment, he ended up in intensive care.

We can't afford to go on like this.

A message for every patient, every politician & policymaker this #WorldOralHealthDay.

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Mar 11

The British Dental Association is looking for an Economic & Data Analyst to join our Policy & Research Team.
We're looking for someone who wants to use their analytic skills to drive policy change.
bda.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...

Economic and Data Analyst

The British Dental Association is seeking an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change. Data-driven arguments, evidence-based policy and robust costing...

bda.peoplehr.net

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Reposted by Tom King

British Dental Association @thebda.bsky.social · Mar 3

"We take on the challenge from the British Dental Association that there is more to do."

A welcome tone from Wes Streeting.

NHS dentistry has been treated as a Cinderella Service.

That has to end.

We need a fair deal our members and the millions they treat.

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Mar 4

Job opportunity: Economic and data analyst

We're looking to recruit an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change to join my team at the BDA.

Full details below ⤵️
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...

w4mp | The site for everyone working for an MP

www.w4mpjobs.org

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Reposted by Tom King

Tom Clark @tom-clark.bsky.social · Mar 3

Want to work in a thinktank? But worried it's only for "usual suspects"?

Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent

www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...

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Reposted by Tom King

Nuffield Trust @nuffieldtrust.org.uk · Feb 25

🆕 Are NHS #dentists doing less NHS work?

With many people struggling to access #NHS dental care, Liz Fisher explores the concerning drop between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in the number of hours per week that an NHS dentist might be spending on NHS work.

👉 https://buff.ly/4ibDzn2

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Feb 13

Good to see the Health Secretary pressed on role of reform and investment in #Newsnight. NHS dentistry is the prime example of where we need fundamental change, supported by increased funding, to turn the service around. Can’t have one without the other. Reform & investment must go hand in hand.

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Reposted by Tom King

British Dental Association @thebda.bsky.social · Feb 13

NHS dentistry has ceased to exist for millions.

A toxic mix of austerity and failed contracts has fuelled this crisis.

We now have health professionals delivering NHS care at a loss.

Why the Treasury is the No.1 barrier to saving this service.
👇
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Feb 13

Analysis from my team @thebda.bsky.social shows dentists and dental practices are subsidising loss-making NHS treatments to the tune of over £300m per year www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

English dentists ‘walking away’ from NHS work as fees fail to cover costs

Exclusive: Surgeries having to ‘operate like a charity’ and subsidise NHS work by £332m a year, says BDA

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Tom King

British Dental Association @thebda.bsky.social · Jan 15

The PM says "we're reforming the contract."

That "we're delivering 700,000 urgent appointments."

These were important pledges.

But there's been no real progress here.

These promises need to be kept. #PMQS

👉 www.bda.org/news-and-opi...

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 18

As we approach the new year, there is a lack of clarity on many key issues facing NHS dentistry.
Most importantly, practices still don't know what uplift in funding they are going to receive for 2024/25 - 9 months into the financial year.
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...

NHS dentistry: All we want for Christmas is clarity

Dentists in England are set to break for Christmas with no idea about when contractual uplifts will land, what shape support might take for the hike in overheads brought by the recent Budget, and litt...

www.bda.org

Reposted by Tom King

Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 12

NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice

BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes

www.nature.com

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 12

NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice

BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes

www.nature.com

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 10

The positivity of those who worked for years under the prototype system is a commendation in itself when contrasted with how most dentists continue to feel about working within the current UDA system.

Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 10

Our findings provide contrasts with the official evaluation, with dentists talking about delivering higher-quality prevention-focused dentistry

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 10

My colleague Tim & I have written up our interviews with dentists involved in previous efforts to prototype NHS dental contract reform. Clear that there are lessons to be learned as we try to reform the contract again.

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice

BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes

www.nature.com

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Reposted by Tom King

Raluca Terry-Enescu @ralucahippie.bsky.social · Dec 9

Good quality improvement principles for a lot of public services, not just railways: "Focus on what you want it to look like, for whom, where".

This may resonate with many #QISky healthcare /public health people too.

Jon Worth @jonworth.eu · Dec 9

Want to make German rail better?

DON'T start by complaining about neoliberalism. Don't start by wondering about separation of infra & operations

DO focus on what you want your network to look like, for whom, where. Revive Deutschlandtakt as a plan, & build & invest

Everything else flows from that

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Tom King @policytom.bsky.social · Dec 9

McFadden’s speech uses different language, but I hope it is talking about a very similar approach

Reposted by Tom King

Nick Plumb @nickplumb.bsky.social · Dec 9

Encouraging to hear "test and learn" language throughout. Recognition that rewiring of the state won't happen from top down. This will come from small scale, place-based innovation.

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