Payment systems - Dentists working for the NHS in England and Wales are paid based on Units of Dentistry Activity. - This payment system was established in 2006 and replaced the previous system that only incentivised treatment without focusing on preventative work. - The payment system encourages dentists to provide preventative care. - The payment system is different in England and Wales compared to the rest of the UK. - The system aims to strike a balance between treatment and prevention.

NHS England - In 2017, NHS England initiated the procurement process for 363 orthodontics contracts. - The British Dental Association and the Association of Dental Groups requested the contracting process to be stopped in December 2019. - Some of the contracts had already been abandoned. - The contracting process faced criticism and concerns from dental associations. - The procurement process aimed to improve access to orthodontic services.

Wales - The Welsh Government launched the Designed to Smile scheme in 2009. - The scheme provides toothpaste and toothbrushes to new parents and encourages them to take their child for a dental appointment before their first birthday. - Older children are encouraged to brush their teeth in school, and free fluoride varnish treatment is available. - The Welsh National Assembly's Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee conducted an inquiry into the dental system in Wales in May 2019. - The inquiry highlighted concerns about disincentives for dentists to take on patients requiring extensive dental treatment.

Education and registration - Dentists in the UK complete 5 years of undergraduate study to earn a B.D.S. or BChD degree. - After graduation, most dentists enter a vocational training scheme to receive their full National Health Service registration. - Dentists must register with the General Dental Council (G.D.C.) before practicing. - The Dentists Act 1957 defines dentistry and restricts its practice to registered dentists. - There are 16 dental schools in the UK, with some offering graduate entry programs for applicants with a strong background in biomedical sciences.

References - General Dental Council is the governing body for dentistry in the UK. - The Care Quality Commission provides information for dental service providers. - The British Dental Association and the Association of Dental Groups raised concerns about the contracting process in NHS England. - Lexology published an article on the reform of the Units of Dentistry Activity system in Wales. - The Dental Schools Council provides information on dental schools in the UK.