Abstract
Introduction While routine dentistry was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, Urgent Dental Care centres (UDCs) were established to support patients with urgent dental needs.
Aim The study aimed to provide insights and recommendations on future dental reform based on the perspectives of frontline staff delivering dental care in UDCs.
Method A qualitative research study using a phenomenological approach. A hybrid approach that incorporated both a deductive and an inductive approach to analysis was adopted.
Results The sample included 29 dentists and nine dental nurses providing care at UDCs in England during the pandemic. The following predominant themes were identified: patient care and access, practice viability, workforce sustainability, identity of dentistry and contract reform.
Conclusions The pandemic has highlighted the desire from the dental profession for urgent reform of the current NHS dental contract in England. This was directed towards a more resilient, responsive and equitable dental service that is better prepared for current and future challenges.
Key points
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Reports the potential implications of COVID-19 on workforce sustainability and dental access from the perspective of UDC staff in England.
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Research findings highlight a desire from the dental profession for progress in transforming dental services, particularly dental contract reform in England.
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Key recommendations identified were: 'levelling up' NHS dental access; support for practices; a focus on recruitment and retention of the dental team; mental health wellness support; addressing future training needs; integrating oral health into wider healthcare; and replacement of the UDA system as part of dental contract reform, with a focus on prevention.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank our participants who engaged with our research and shared their views and experiences with us. The authors would like to thank all organisations, the journals and individuals who kindly cascaded the information about our research study. Funding: Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) partially funded this study.
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Study conceptualisation: the study was conceptualised by MP, AP, RW and MBD. Interview guide: the interview guide was initially developed by MP, AP and RW. The interview guide was then amended and finalised after receiving critical feedback by MBD, HW and IM. Data collection: the interviews were conducted and transcribed verbatim by AP. Data analysis: coding and identification of emerging themes - five interviews were independently coded by AP, MBD and RB. Coding results were compared in a team meeting, overseen by an experienced qualitative researcher (HW), and emerging themes were identified and discussed. RB, who has extensive qualitative research experience, then coded half of the interviews. Sense checking was performed to review the analysis and to question the rationale for decisions (RB, AP, HW, MP). Subsequently, all interviews were coded by RB and codes and subthemes were discussed with HW, MP, AP and RW. Refining and defining of themes: finally, the emergent themes were generated, defined and named by AP, MP, HW and RB. Draft manuscript: the draft manuscript was jointly prepared by AP and MP. The manuscript was finalised after receiving critical feedback by HW, RB, RW, MBD and IM.
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Witton, R., Plessas, A., Wheat, H. et al. The future of dentistry post-COVID-19: perspectives from Urgent Dental Care centre staff in England. Br Dent J (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3405-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-021-3405-1
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