The dental contract reform programme is a change to the way NHS primary care dentistry has been provided in the past. Making the contract work may require a new approach.
To find out more about the day-to-day workings of the new contract model, explore our tools and resources section.
Tools and resources:
The modelling tool
We’ve developed the modelling tool to help practices:
- forecast their year-end position at any time
- determine where the focus needs to be on fulfilling the contract measures
How to use the modelling tool
You’ll need to provide:
- patient numbers
- prototype activity
These figures will need to be an estimated forecast for the year-end. You can use data from the most recent capitation remuneration report to help with this. This can be found on Compass.
Once you have entered the estimated figures for your practice, the tool will calculate the forecast year-end position.
The data output may vary in relation to either:
- activity
- capitation
The impact of any changes to patient attendance numbers or activity is calculated using these figures. This enables the practice to see if any action is needed to deliver the contract.
Download the modelling tool (Excel: 21KB)View the modelling tool guidance (PDF: 277KB)
You can get an animated version of the guidance by emailing the dental contract review mailbox.
The exchange mechanism
Focusing on disease prevention can lead to a reduction in dental treatment. This may mean practices:
- have reduced levels of Units of Dental Activity (UDA)
- can’t meet the expected minimum activity (EMA) of their contract
The exchange mechanism looks at how practices can compensate for a reduced level of activity by seeing more patients.
View the guidance for the exchange mechanism (PDF: 195KB). This helps you to calculate the number of extra patients you’ll need to see to make up for any activity deficit you have
Bulk patient transfer between performers
Patients on the list of a performer can be transferred as a whole list or in part to another existing or new performer. The function to do this is on your Compass account.
You can view guidance on bulk patient transfers between performers (Word: 1.5MB).
Prototype leaflets and forms
There are several leaflets and forms that have been made available to prototype practices operating under the programme.
These are in line with general data protection regulations (GDPR).
The patient information: NHS dental prototypes leaflet (PDF: 130KB) has been developed to let patients know what they can expect under the programme.
You can order these online at www.nhsforms.co.uk.
You’ll need to register first. Do this by completing the registration form (Excel: 213KB) and sending it to nhs.print@nhs.net.
There are 2 documents that practices need to give to patients who receive care under the programme:Prototype Practice Record Form (PRDP) (PDF: 84KB)Fair processing notice (PDF: 74KB)You can order these documents from the Primary Care Support England (PCSE) portal.
All other paper forms are unchanged and continue to be used by practices working under this new model.