The year ahead
Star gazing: 2011 will bring challenges for everyone across the dental profession in
Scotland. We asked a cross-section of the dental community to polish the crystal ball and gaze into the future. Here’s what they saw
and beyond To infinity
ANDREW LAMB: BDA CHIEF EXECUTIVE SCOTLAND
dental services. England did this sev- eral years ago and the introduction of the arrangements was very popu- lar. We’ve been arguing for Scotland to go down a similar route for a long time now and it would be good to finally get this off the ‘to do’ list in 2011.
Q How will the dental landscape change in 2011? A great deal will obviously depend on the election in May. Whether – and how – the dental landscape changes as a result of our election will only become clear later this year. What is certain though is that in Scotland, as is the case elsewhere in the UK, dentistry is becoming increasingly regulated. That will impact on dental practices by increasing the time spent on bureaucracy and will inevitably impact on access.
Q What would change/improve your professional life? I’m really keen that 2011 is the year when Scotland finally catches up with its neighbours and adopts a modern contract for our salaried
18 Scottish Dental magazine
Q What will give you sleepless nights? The thing that would really give me sleepless nights would be any sugges- tion that the General Dental Practice Allowance was to be scrapped. For many NHS practices that allowance makes the difference between viability and non-viability. I talk to colleagues in other parts of the UK about the reforms to health service dentistry they have witnessed and hear of numerous problems. I don’t think anyone would argue that what we have in Scotland is perfect, but with this allowance we really have achieved something positive. Thankfully, I think whoever gets elected this year would have more sense than to meddle with it.
Q What would get you cracking the champagne open? If it ever comes, the day when we
“In an election year we’re in the lap of the political gods. The man or woman to watch this year will be whoever has the
health brief after 5th May”
finally agree a new contract for salaried services will have me cracking open the champagne.
Q Who’s the ‘player’ to watch this year? In an election year we’re in the lap of the political gods. The man or woman to watch this year will be whoever has the health brief after 5 May. Naturally we’ll be watching the outcome of that day carefully and seeking to work closely with the new ministers as soon as their timetable allows.
Q What’s your New Year’s resolution? It’s time to try grasping the issue of water fluoridation again. The benefits of this measure are well understood but it’s become a difficult issue politically. In England we’ve seen a decision to fluoridate water in Southampton go to judicial review and the ferocity with which opponents resist the measure makes it easy to understand why some politicians are anxious about pursuing the policy. But we know it is effective and must encourage the government of Scotland elected in May to think again.
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