Abstract
Objectives
To explore the views of NHS dentists in England regarding reforms, which changed their incentive and payment structure.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with 35 dentists, digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a constant comparative method.
Results
Dentists reported changing their behaviour in response to incentives in ways that were likely to have adverse impacts on patients. There was also a loss of trust in NHS paymasters, as well as a loss of faith in the ability to provide high quality care in NHS dentistry.
Conclusions
Responses suggest that many dentists were quick to change behaviour following the introduction of a revised contractual structure in 2006. The coalition government in the UK has stated its intention to introduce a new NHS dental contract. Our data suggest that part of the process of changing behaviours, norms and attitudes will require the rebuilding of trust in the NHS amongst NHS dentists, as opposed to merely redesigning incentive structures, though the two are related.
To explore the views of NHS dentists in England regarding reforms, which changed their incentive and payment structure.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews with 35 dentists, digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a constant comparative method.
Results
Dentists reported changing their behaviour in response to incentives in ways that were likely to have adverse impacts on patients. There was also a loss of trust in NHS paymasters, as well as a loss of faith in the ability to provide high quality care in NHS dentistry.
Conclusions
Responses suggest that many dentists were quick to change behaviour following the introduction of a revised contractual structure in 2006. The coalition government in the UK has stated its intention to introduce a new NHS dental contract. Our data suggest that part of the process of changing behaviours, norms and attitudes will require the rebuilding of trust in the NHS amongst NHS dentists, as opposed to merely redesigning incentive structures, though the two are related.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 468-473 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| Early online date | 29 Mar 2012 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2012 |
Keywords
- clinical
- clinical decision making
- disparities
- Evidence Based Dentistry(EBD)
- health services research
- psychosocial aspects of oral health
- public health policy
- public policy
- qualitative research