Commissioning in the community dental services: what do dentists think?

Abstract

Aims This study aims to elucidate the thoughts and experiences of community dental service (CDS) dentists on procurement. Interviews were conducted and accompanied by secondary analysis of census data.Methods Demographics and working conditions were examined and interview participants discussed the tendering process.Results CDS dentists were motivated by their patients and overall enjoyed their work. Interviews identified three key themes relating to commissioning: 1) process - dentists' experience of the tendering process; 2) effects - what dentists believe their service looks like after tendering; and 3) results - how dentists believe tendering has affected patients. The point of commissioning was questioned. It was perceived to negatively affect the working environment and the care provided to patients, and was seen to cause a shift in service priorities. It was suggested that providers entered into a state of stasis during commissioning, leaving services to decay.Discussion This paper, the second in a series examining the community and public dental services, highlights the effects that commissioning has on staff and patient care, and builds on the understanding developed in the first paper of this series.Conclusions Further work is needed to examine the place of competitive commissioning in dentistry and, given its ubiquitous use, it is of importance to all dentistry stakeholders.