The trends in dental healthcare reform in NHS, UK / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Since 2000, the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom (UK) has challenged for a large-scale reforms. This study aims to review those reforms to reflect in the dental care system in Korea. METHODS: Reports and papers that were published from 2000 to 2015 and were related to the NHS dental care system and reforms were searched. Among them, official reports from the government or organization were prioritized. RESULTS: In 2002, the “NHS Dentistry Options for Change” report suggested rebuilding the structure to meet the standard of care, improving the remuneration system, and modernizing the workforce. Eight years later, the government proposed the “NHS Dental Contract Proposals for Pilots” to improve accessibility to oral health and dental care. The pilot was based on three elements registration, capitation, and quality. In 2015, the Department of Health announced the “Dental Contract Reform Prototypes.” These prototypes include the clinical pathway, measurement and remuneration by quality of care, and a weighted capitation and quality model reimbursement system. CONCLUSIONS: The changes to the UK dental care system has implications. First, national coverage should be extended to improve accessibility to dental care. Second, the dental care system is necessary to reform focused on patient-centered and prevention. Third, registration and remuneration by quality of care needs to be introduced. Fourth, change should start from the basic steps, such as forming consensus or preparing manuals, to strengthening personnel and conducting a pilot study. Most of all, the new system will center on clinical leadership.