I am a Norfolk based dentist, working at an IDH practice, and the views on this blog are my own. 

On 15th Jan, DH published its plan for the prototypes. At last, we might be able to move forward. But the profession needs to engage in a meaningful and constructive conversation. I came across this post published couple of days ago http://goo.gl/6b9K8Y it briefly discuss two important topics, namely the evolving skills mix and primary care settings i.e private, corporate, NHS salaried dentists. The profession need to have a conversation, and I would like to kick start this. I have had extensive experience of owning and running my own practice, and more recently, working at a corporate owned practice.

The primary care delivery settings we have in this country, provide wholly NHS, mixed or wholly private practice, all have the capacity to offer outstanding service. Throughout the country there are many examples of this, usually driven by inspirational characters. They facilitate employment for many and inspire others to copy and exceed their example. We need to look atthe different models, adapt and be pragmatic. We owe it to the people of this country and the next generation of practitioners, who are being squeezed like never before, university fees, mortgages and now high value practices. Such practices command high goodwill values, and whereas in the past raising funds was relatively easy, this is no longer the case. The new generation of practitioners are being squeezed like never before, university fees, mortgages and now high value practices. Starting a practice may be less expensive, but very much dependent on the uncertainties of commissioning bodies and the banks, who are increasingly reluctant to lend. The profession need to ask, would young practitioners want to put their head in this noose? This will be even more difficult for the rising number of part time practitioners.

Now is the time to explore possible solutions, and whichever setting dentists choose, they should be well rewarded. The contract does not define us, we allow part of ourselves to work within its parameters but that is not even a fraction of what really takes place within each of our individual surgeries.

We need to engage, discuss and define our profession.