Help improve dental sector insights to inform future policy
To inform and support effective policy development, the Department of Health and Social Care is conducting a research project on the costs of running dental practices in England. The aim is to build an up-to-date picture of the key costs drivers, pressures and variables facing the sector.
These insights will also help to support the Government’s ambition for dental reform, to inform future policy and improve understanding of the sustainability and resilience of the current system.
As part of this research project, a survey will soon be launched, giving all dental practices in England the opportunity to contribute to the research and inform future Government policy. The survey will invite practices to share data on the costs involved in operating their businesses.
Alongside the survey, the Department of Health and Social Care are also conducting interviews to build some additional qualitative analysis, further support findings and inform future Government policy. If you would be willing to be interviewed in addition to completing the survey, please contact dentistrycostsurvey@dhsc.gov.uk to register your interest and find out more.
Important information to note:
- The survey is expected to launch in May and will close in June
- Look out for the invitation to participate either via email (for practices holding NHS contracts), government press release, or via any industry newsletters you may receive once the survey is open.
- All responses will be received anonymously (unless you choose to identify yourself).
- This research is being conducted by the Sector Insights & Commercial Strategy Team within the Department, independently of policy teams. All responses will remain confidential within this team. Responses will be analysed in aggregate, and will not be shared at the individual, practice or company level; only anonymous, aggregated findings will be shared more broadly.
- The analysis from the research will be published publicly on GOV.UK after the conclusion of this project.
- This work is separate from the NHSE dental workforce survey you may have already responded to.
We encourage all dental practices to contribute to ensure the Department gains a well-informed, comprehensive and nuanced understanding of how to support the dentistry sector in England. Whether you’re a large operator or a small business, primarily NHS-focused or private, wherever you are in England, your experience can help shape the future of dentistry.
If you have any questions on the survey or project, please contact dentistrycostsurvey@dhsc.gov.uk.
Thank you for your invaluable support!
