One of the core components of the Dental Recovery Plan announced in February by the previous Government is the New Patient Premium (NPP). It offers additional payment to dentists seeing patients that have not undergone treatment in two years; £15 if they need a band one course of treatment, and £50 if they require a band two or three.
Following the introduction of the NPP on 1 March, NHS England is now seeking to evaluate the impact of the scheme through a series of focus groups with practice owners, associates, dental therapists, dental hygienists and practice managers.
In particular, NHS England wishes to understand more regarding how the scheme has impacted the way the service operates, its impact on staff, and on patients. The feedback gathered during the focus groups will inform NHS England’s overall evaluation of the effectiveness of the NPP scheme specifically, and as such the groups will not actively consider alternative payment mechanisms or policies.
NPP focus group programme
The focus groups will be held virtually from 18:00 in November, and will last up to an hour and a half.
Focus group 1: Contractors
Monday 4 November
Focus group 2: Associates
Tuesday 5 November
Focus group 3: Contractors
Thursday 7 November
Focus group 4: Associates
Monday 11 November
Focus group 5: Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists
Tuesday 12 November
Focus group 6: Administration
Wednesday 13 November
For more information and to express your interest in participating in one of the groups listed above, please complete this form by Friday 18 October.