Access to NHS dentistry in England is under huge pressure. Millions of people struggle to get appointments, while dental professionals are working within a system that does not always make the best use of their skills.
SCOPE is a NIHR-funded research project exploring how dental nurses, hygienists and therapists are currently used in NHS primary dental care and how they could be used more effectively to improve access, sustainability and patient experience.
By studying how dental practices in England operate to optimise the use of staff and resources, SCOPE aims to generate practical, evidence-based recommendations for policy makers, commissioners, dental practices and the public.
Our focus:
- How dental teams organise care in practice
- What enables or limits the use of direct access and skill mix
- The economic impact of different models of care
- What changes could meaningfully improve access to NHS dentistry
