In the history of science, there is suppression by dictation from the Church and political legislation. The NHS was once seen as a 'low status occupation', often referred to as 'utility dentistry'. You need both quality and quantity, but these don't easily mix, inevitably reducing standards to provide a wider service availability.
Is quantity to take precedence over quality? There is the fear that governments have political agendas that might ignore the voice of the dental profession, which has to take a positive lead. Improving the conditions of service has not had much thought in providing the best standards for dental health quality and quantity, and has been put on the back burner whilst ensuring patient and staff safety is paramount during this time.
There used to be a time when dentistry attracted lots of people and provided a service to the community and the profession. During this awful period, as a profession, with surgeries not even reaching 1/4 of its patient capacity, and patients being left without routine care, are we reducing the confidence that the public has in us? There is no doubt that this will increase the inequality gap. I have hope that confidence can be restored in dental professionals in the UK, and both quality and quantity can work together harmoniously for the improvement of dental heath standards.
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