NHS Flashcards
- What do you know about the traffic light system and what are your opinions on it?
framework to categorize severity of health conditions and guide treatment decisions
-green: condition is stable & manageable. patients can usually manage symptoms at home
-amber: moderate level of concern. patients may seek medical advice but is not an emergency
- Red: urgent issue requires immediate medical attention. patients seek immediate help
What are your thoughts on the recent sugar tax?
- tax on sugary drinks in 2018, companies pay more money for more sugar
good as encourages companies to reduce sugar
good as encourages people to drink less sugary drinks
46% average reduction in sugar in soft drinks between 2015 and 2020
- What are some alternatives of the sugar tax?
- public education campaigns: educate about risks of high sugar consumption, promote healthier choices
- subsidise healthy foods- fruits, veg more affordable
- marketing: talk about article on adding labels to sugary foods, like tobacco labels
-encourage physical activity: in schools, parents, help tackle childhood obesity
Should fluoridation of water occur?
yes- reduce tooth decay, cavities, especially in areas where dental access limited or poorer so cant afford dentist
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, makes more resistant to tooth decay
no- fluorosis- stains on teeth, people worried about excessive fluoride consumption
- How should money be invested into dentistry for the NHS?
- improving access: expand dental services in areas which lack it so more can access dental care
-preventative care: invest is preventative programs, public education campaigns, going into schools- spreads awareness of oral health so can reduce treatment costs
- upgrade facilites: invest in modern technology & equipment
-workforce development: allocate funds to train more dentists
- Should dental treatment be free on the NHS?
yes: offers access to all, affordable
who is eligible examples:
- under 18,
- under 19 in full-time education
- pregnant/ had baby in the past year
- staying in NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
no: strains NHS resources and funding, cant buy new equipment, long waits- impacts quality of care, dentists not always paid greatly
- What changes have there been in dentistry over the past 100 years?
- advancements in technology- digital images, x-rays, laser dentistry
-materials & techniques- composite resins and ceramics for fillings and crowns
preventative care- more emphasis on oral health
fluoridation- addition of fluoride to water supply
access to care- establishment of NHS, changes in policies
- What are the differences between private and NHS Dentistry?
private:
- longer appointment
- shorter wait
- expensive
- more tech and materials
NHS:
- subsidised cost
- long wait
- short appointments
- less funding
- What are some of the reasons patients choose private treatment for their teeth over NHS?
greater quality of care- access to more advanced materials due to funding
shorter waiting time
longer appointments- treatment done in less appointments,
- Should dental treatment be free for patients on the NHS?
yes- NHS is there to help all access healthcare, should be open to those who cant afford
no- NHS still needs money to afford treatments
could be free for some:
- pregnant
- children
- elderly
- immigrants/refugees
- Give differences between the NHS systems in different countries in the UK
England, scotland, Wales
costs: example, band 3 dental treatment in England is £319.10, in wales is £260
- What is an NHS trust and how do they work?
trust is organisation in NHS that provides healthcare services - manage hospitals, clinics
different types- acute trusts (provide hospital services), mental health trusts, community health trusts
each trust managed by board of directors
Acute trusts ensure hospitals provide high-quality healthcare and that they spend money efficiently.
- Could you talk me through what would qualify as a Band 3 treatment?
dentures, bridges, night guards, crowns
fixed replacement for a missing tooth or teeth (bridge)
type of cap that completely covers your real tooth (crown)
false teeth (dentures) restoring damaged teeth with inlays, pinlays and onlays.
£319.10
- What are your thoughts on the current NHS Dental Contract and the system of Units of Dental Activity?
nov 2023 changes better than oct 2022 plan- changes to band 2
may be disproportionate to amount of work done
Paid on number of completed UDAs – may lead to rushed appointments and less comprehensive care for patients
Access to care- some say UDA system can limit access especially patients who need more complex treatments. If a dentist has a limited number of UDAs, they may prioritise simpler cases to meet their targets
Inequity- practices in wealthier areas have more resources to meet UDA targets compared to deprived areas,
- How do price bands work for treatment under the NHS?
band 1: £26.80 examination, assessment and advice, x-rays
band 2: £73.50 fillings, extractions, root canals, denture additions
band 3: £319.10 dentures, bridges, night guards, crowns
- When would a dental appointment be free patients are not exempt?
- Who qualifies for free dental treatment?
- under 18,
- under 19 in full-time education
- pregnant
- had a baby in last 12 months
- being treated in an NHS hospital and your treatment is carried out by the hospital dentist
- receiving low income benefits, or under 20 and a dependant of someone receiving low income benefits
What is the CQC?
Care quality commission
- make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, high-quality care.
- regulates all health and social care services in England.
What are AGPs?
Aerosol generating procedures
- medical procedures that results in release of aerosols from respiratory tract, release of small airborne particles
- high risk of Aerosol generation
What is NICE?
National institute for health and care excellence- provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
- evaluate new health technologies for NHS
- produce usable guidance to help health practitioners
What is the GDC?
General dental council
- register dental professionals, set standards for dentists, ensure quality of dental education
9 GDC principles
- patient interests 1st
-communicate effectively with patients
- obtain valid consent
- What do you know about how the NHS charges for appointments?
Different bands for different courses of treatment
Band 1- £26.80 examination, diagnosis
Band 2- £73.50 fillings, root canals, extractions
Band 3- £319.10 crowns, bridges, dentures
- What are the NHS values, and why are they important?
- respect & dignity, work together for patients, compassion, improving lives, everyone counts commitment to quality of care
- important to put patients well- being first, to treat people equally, work morally and fairly
What is it like to be a dentist?
fulfilling- restore smiles, improve self confidence
stressful- complex cases, breaking bad news
fun- artistic, meet patients, work in team
tiring- many appointments, not many breaks
How do you deal with overpopulation?
- increase number of dentists in rural or undeserved areas
-implement community outreach programs to spread importance of oral health- teach in schools
- utilize technology to improve speed and efficiency (x-ray in dark room at ortho practice vs x-ray machine in other practice)
- What are the main challenges facing the future of dentistry in the UK?
-funding and resources- NHS often criticised for its lack of funding
- access to care- rural and undeserved areas, patients struggle to find dentists
- workforce shortages- growing concern about the shortage of dentists–> longer wait times, increased workload
- technological advancements- keeping up with and affording new tools can be difficult
- improving public awareness can be difficult- may misinterpret as lack of freedom to do and eat what they want
- What are the greatest challenges facing healthcare as a whole, and dentistry in particular?
healthcare as a whole:
- funding: struggle with limited budgets, disparities in quality of care
- Aging population: as poulations age there is more demand for resources
- workforce shortages: longer wait times and reduced access
Dentist specific:
- access: many patients care afford or access dentists
- public awareness: increasing public awareness is a challenge
- inequalities: rural vs urban areas, care differs
- How has COVID changed the way that dental practices operate?
- enhanced infection control measures: increased PPE use, regular sanitization (talk about work experience cleaning) , air filtration systems
- focus on emergency care: during lockdown dental practices shifted to focus mainly on emergencies, delaying routine procedures
-patient screening protocols: before appointments practices may conduct screenings to identify COVID-19 symptoms
- How does oral health differ here compared to other areas in the UK?
- funding: Scotland and wales have different approaches to funding
- access: access to NHS dental services vary by region- some areas have more dental practices and better availability- rural may face shortages
- preventative care: some regions may prioritise preventative measures more than others
How do you approach understanding the priorities and values of the NHS in providing dental care?
How do you approach understanding the impact of healthcare policy on dental care provision?
What do you think about patient’s access to care within the NHS system?
How do you approach understanding the unique oral health needs and challenges of the local community?
How would you tailor your dental care approach to meet the needs of a patient from a different cultural background?
How would you approach collaborating with local organisations and community groups to promote oral health and provide dental care to underserved populations?
How would you approach incorporating the values and priorities of the local community into a dental practice you work for?
Can do dentists collaborate with local healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive patient care?
What are some benefits of NHS dental services, and what are some drawbacks?
How can access to dental care be improved for those in underserved communities in the UK?
How do dentists promote public health and prevent diseases?
What are the steps to becoming an NHS dentist in the UK?
How do dentists stay informed of policy changes and regulations in the dental field?
What are some of the most common dental conditions treated under the NHS?
How do general and specialised dentistry differ within the NHS system?
How do dentists prioritise treatment plans within the limitations of the NHS system?
What ethical considerations should dentists take into account while working within the NHS system?
What challenges does dentistry within the NHS face today?
What is the role of dental nurses and hygienists in the NHS system?
How is patient confidentiality and data protection ensured in NHS dental practices?
What is the current state of NHS dental funding and resources?
Why is patient education important in the NHS dental system?
What can be done to encourage people to seek regular dental checkups and treatment within the NHS?
How do you see the future of NHS dentistry evolving?
What impact do you think emerging technologies and innovations will have on NHS dentistry?
