Tom King
@policytom.bsky.social
Head of Policy and Research, British Dental Association | Interested in health policy, and social and economic policy more generally | All views expressed here are my own
Given the obvious challenges, why do dentists continue to work for the NHS? My team has conducted research into dentists' motivations and the push-pull factors at play www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Motivations for NHS dentistry in England - British Dental Journal
British Dental Journal - Motivations for NHS dentistry in England
www.nature.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Given the obvious challenges, why do dentists continue to work for the NHS? My team has conducted research into dentists' motivations and the push-pull factors at play www.nature.com/articles/s41...
GDPC Chair Shiv Pabary lays out where NHS dental contract reform needs to go:
A blended contract that delivers a long-term preventative patient-dentist relationship, alongside a pathway of care for patients with high treatment needs
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
A blended contract that delivers a long-term preventative patient-dentist relationship, alongside a pathway of care for patients with high treatment needs
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Beyond the UDA: Where NHS dentistry goes next
GDPC Chair, Shiv Pabary, on what you need to know about the proposals developed by the GDPC following your feedback.
www.bda.org
July 1, 2025 at 9:15 AM
GDPC Chair Shiv Pabary lays out where NHS dental contract reform needs to go:
A blended contract that delivers a long-term preventative patient-dentist relationship, alongside a pathway of care for patients with high treatment needs
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
A blended contract that delivers a long-term preventative patient-dentist relationship, alongside a pathway of care for patients with high treatment needs
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Reposted by Tom King
Very constructive first meeting with @skinnock.bsky.social today at DHSC today.
Pleased to be on the same page.
I told the Minister we want to restore the pride dentists once had in this service.
Look forward to working together to rebuild a service millions depend on. @thebda.bsky.social
Pleased to be on the same page.
I told the Minister we want to restore the pride dentists once had in this service.
Look forward to working together to rebuild a service millions depend on. @thebda.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Very constructive first meeting with @skinnock.bsky.social today at DHSC today.
Pleased to be on the same page.
I told the Minister we want to restore the pride dentists once had in this service.
Look forward to working together to rebuild a service millions depend on. @thebda.bsky.social
Pleased to be on the same page.
I told the Minister we want to restore the pride dentists once had in this service.
Look forward to working together to rebuild a service millions depend on. @thebda.bsky.social
Another damning report on the state of NHS dentistry.
This time the Public Accounts Committee says there is no future for the service without reform.
They are completely right.
Now we need Government to act.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
This time the Public Accounts Committee says there is no future for the service without reform.
They are completely right.
Now we need Government to act.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
No future for NHS dentistry without reform, warns PAC, as Govt efforts fail to halt decline - Committees - UK Parliament
Verdict delivered on dental contract as not fit for purpose as patients continue to suffer and PAC calls for transparency on necessary fundamental reform
committees.parliament.uk
April 4, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Another damning report on the state of NHS dentistry.
This time the Public Accounts Committee says there is no future for the service without reform.
They are completely right.
Now we need Government to act.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
This time the Public Accounts Committee says there is no future for the service without reform.
They are completely right.
Now we need Government to act.
committees.parliament.uk/committee/12...
Reposted by Tom King
Reposted by Tom King
"Dental care is health care."
Nick had a dental infection.
Unable to get an appointment, he ended up in intensive care.
We can't afford to go on like this.
A message for every patient, every politician & policymaker this #WorldOralHealthDay.
Nick had a dental infection.
Unable to get an appointment, he ended up in intensive care.
We can't afford to go on like this.
A message for every patient, every politician & policymaker this #WorldOralHealthDay.
March 20, 2025 at 7:19 AM
"Dental care is health care."
Nick had a dental infection.
Unable to get an appointment, he ended up in intensive care.
We can't afford to go on like this.
A message for every patient, every politician & policymaker this #WorldOralHealthDay.
Nick had a dental infection.
Unable to get an appointment, he ended up in intensive care.
We can't afford to go on like this.
A message for every patient, every politician & policymaker this #WorldOralHealthDay.
The British Dental Association is looking for an Economic & Data Analyst to join our Policy & Research Team.
We're looking for someone who wants to use their analytic skills to drive policy change.
bda.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...
We're looking for someone who wants to use their analytic skills to drive policy change.
bda.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...
Economic and Data Analyst
The British Dental Association is seeking an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change.
Data-driven arguments, evidence-based policy and robust costing...
bda.peoplehr.net
March 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The British Dental Association is looking for an Economic & Data Analyst to join our Policy & Research Team.
We're looking for someone who wants to use their analytic skills to drive policy change.
bda.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...
We're looking for someone who wants to use their analytic skills to drive policy change.
bda.peoplehr.net/Pages/JobBoa...
Reposted by Tom King
"We take on the challenge from the British Dental Association that there is more to do."
A welcome tone from Wes Streeting.
NHS dentistry has been treated as a Cinderella Service.
That has to end.
We need a fair deal our members and the millions they treat.
A welcome tone from Wes Streeting.
NHS dentistry has been treated as a Cinderella Service.
That has to end.
We need a fair deal our members and the millions they treat.
March 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
"We take on the challenge from the British Dental Association that there is more to do."
A welcome tone from Wes Streeting.
NHS dentistry has been treated as a Cinderella Service.
That has to end.
We need a fair deal our members and the millions they treat.
A welcome tone from Wes Streeting.
NHS dentistry has been treated as a Cinderella Service.
That has to end.
We need a fair deal our members and the millions they treat.
Job opportunity: Economic and data analyst
We're looking to recruit an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change to join my team at the BDA.
Full details below ⤵️
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
We're looking to recruit an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change to join my team at the BDA.
Full details below ⤵️
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
w4mp | The site for everyone working for an MP
www.w4mpjobs.org
March 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Job opportunity: Economic and data analyst
We're looking to recruit an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change to join my team at the BDA.
Full details below ⤵️
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
We're looking to recruit an experienced analyst who wants to use their economic and data skills to drive policy change to join my team at the BDA.
Full details below ⤵️
www.w4mpjobs.org/JobDetails.a...
Reposted by Tom King
Want to work in a thinktank? But worried it's only for "usual suspects"?
Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent
www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent
www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
March 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Want to work in a thinktank? But worried it's only for "usual suspects"?
Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent
www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
Think again -- and sign up for webinar--this Weds 330-6pm--from @resfoundation.bsky.social & loads of other top tanks all looking for hidden talent
www.resolutionfoundation.org/events/worki...
Reposted by Tom King
🆕 Are NHS #dentists doing less NHS work?
With many people struggling to access #NHS dental care, Liz Fisher explores the concerning drop between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in the number of hours per week that an NHS dentist might be spending on NHS work.
👉 https://buff.ly/4ibDzn2
With many people struggling to access #NHS dental care, Liz Fisher explores the concerning drop between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in the number of hours per week that an NHS dentist might be spending on NHS work.
👉 https://buff.ly/4ibDzn2
February 25, 2025 at 11:54 AM
🆕 Are NHS #dentists doing less NHS work?
With many people struggling to access #NHS dental care, Liz Fisher explores the concerning drop between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in the number of hours per week that an NHS dentist might be spending on NHS work.
👉 https://buff.ly/4ibDzn2
With many people struggling to access #NHS dental care, Liz Fisher explores the concerning drop between 2018/19 and 2022/23 in the number of hours per week that an NHS dentist might be spending on NHS work.
👉 https://buff.ly/4ibDzn2
Good to see the Health Secretary pressed on role of reform and investment in #Newsnight. NHS dentistry is the prime example of where we need fundamental change, supported by increased funding, to turn the service around. Can’t have one without the other. Reform & investment must go hand in hand.
February 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Good to see the Health Secretary pressed on role of reform and investment in #Newsnight. NHS dentistry is the prime example of where we need fundamental change, supported by increased funding, to turn the service around. Can’t have one without the other. Reform & investment must go hand in hand.
Reposted by Tom King
NHS dentistry has ceased to exist for millions.
A toxic mix of austerity and failed contracts has fuelled this crisis.
We now have health professionals delivering NHS care at a loss.
Why the Treasury is the No.1 barrier to saving this service.
👇
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
A toxic mix of austerity and failed contracts has fuelled this crisis.
We now have health professionals delivering NHS care at a loss.
Why the Treasury is the No.1 barrier to saving this service.
👇
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
February 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
NHS dentistry has ceased to exist for millions.
A toxic mix of austerity and failed contracts has fuelled this crisis.
We now have health professionals delivering NHS care at a loss.
Why the Treasury is the No.1 barrier to saving this service.
👇
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
A toxic mix of austerity and failed contracts has fuelled this crisis.
We now have health professionals delivering NHS care at a loss.
Why the Treasury is the No.1 barrier to saving this service.
👇
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Analysis from my team @thebda.bsky.social shows dentists and dental practices are subsidising loss-making NHS treatments to the tune of over £300m per year www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
English dentists ‘walking away’ from NHS work as fees fail to cover costs
Exclusive: Surgeries having to ‘operate like a charity’ and subsidise NHS work by £332m a year, says BDA
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Analysis from my team @thebda.bsky.social shows dentists and dental practices are subsidising loss-making NHS treatments to the tune of over £300m per year www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
Reposted by Tom King
The PM says "we're reforming the contract."
That "we're delivering 700,000 urgent appointments."
These were important pledges.
But there's been no real progress here.
These promises need to be kept. #PMQS
👉 www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
That "we're delivering 700,000 urgent appointments."
These were important pledges.
But there's been no real progress here.
These promises need to be kept. #PMQS
👉 www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
January 15, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The PM says "we're reforming the contract."
That "we're delivering 700,000 urgent appointments."
These were important pledges.
But there's been no real progress here.
These promises need to be kept. #PMQS
👉 www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
That "we're delivering 700,000 urgent appointments."
These were important pledges.
But there's been no real progress here.
These promises need to be kept. #PMQS
👉 www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
As we approach the new year, there is a lack of clarity on many key issues facing NHS dentistry.
Most importantly, practices still don't know what uplift in funding they are going to receive for 2024/25 - 9 months into the financial year.
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Most importantly, practices still don't know what uplift in funding they are going to receive for 2024/25 - 9 months into the financial year.
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
NHS dentistry: All we want for Christmas is clarity
Dentists in England are set to break for Christmas with no idea about when contractual uplifts will land, what shape support might take for the hike in overheads brought by the recent Budget, and litt...
www.bda.org
December 18, 2024 at 1:13 PM
As we approach the new year, there is a lack of clarity on many key issues facing NHS dentistry.
Most importantly, practices still don't know what uplift in funding they are going to receive for 2024/25 - 9 months into the financial year.
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Most importantly, practices still don't know what uplift in funding they are going to receive for 2024/25 - 9 months into the financial year.
www.bda.org/news-and-opi...
Reposted by Tom King
NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice
BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes
www.nature.com
December 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM
NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice
BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes
www.nature.com
December 12, 2024 at 10:14 AM
NHS dentistry is in crisis. But attempts to reform it aren't new. 100 practices tried a different system throughout the 2010s. This is what we should learn from that experience as we try to reform NHS dentistry now:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
My colleague Tim & I have written up our interviews with dentists involved in previous efforts to prototype NHS dental contract reform. Clear that there are lessons to be learned as we try to reform the contract again.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes - BDJ In Practice
BDJ In Practice - Re-evaluating the dental contract reform prototypes
www.nature.com
December 10, 2024 at 9:39 AM
My colleague Tim & I have written up our interviews with dentists involved in previous efforts to prototype NHS dental contract reform. Clear that there are lessons to be learned as we try to reform the contract again.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Tom King
Good quality improvement principles for a lot of public services, not just railways: "Focus on what you want it to look like, for whom, where".
This may resonate with many #QISky healthcare /public health people too.
This may resonate with many #QISky healthcare /public health people too.
Want to make German rail better?
DON'T start by complaining about neoliberalism. Don't start by wondering about separation of infra & operations
DO focus on what you want your network to look like, for whom, where. Revive Deutschlandtakt as a plan, & build & invest
Everything else flows from that
DON'T start by complaining about neoliberalism. Don't start by wondering about separation of infra & operations
DO focus on what you want your network to look like, for whom, where. Revive Deutschlandtakt as a plan, & build & invest
Everything else flows from that
December 9, 2024 at 6:16 PM
Good quality improvement principles for a lot of public services, not just railways: "Focus on what you want it to look like, for whom, where".
This may resonate with many #QISky healthcare /public health people too.
This may resonate with many #QISky healthcare /public health people too.
Reposted by Tom King
Encouraging to hear "test and learn" language throughout. Recognition that rewiring of the state won't happen from top down. This will come from small scale, place-based innovation.
December 9, 2024 at 12:21 PM
Encouraging to hear "test and learn" language throughout. Recognition that rewiring of the state won't happen from top down. This will come from small scale, place-based innovation.
Most interesting person I’ve heard talk on this subject is former Scottish CMO Harry Burns, in the context of public health improvement, he makes the case for just letting the frontline “proceed until apprehended” in pursuit of agreed outcomes
The culture of risk aversion is built deeply into every system and process and so becomes seen as the priority.
And it's the cabinet office and Treasury that are the main culprits.
And it's the cabinet office and Treasury that are the main culprits.
December 9, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Most interesting person I’ve heard talk on this subject is former Scottish CMO Harry Burns, in the context of public health improvement, he makes the case for just letting the frontline “proceed until apprehended” in pursuit of agreed outcomes
Disappointing that, despite the very laudable talk of a shift from secondary to primary care, the Government's NHS objective is focused on hospital waiting lists. We're never going to get that transformational shift by continuing a narrow focus on measuring hospital performance.
December 5, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Disappointing that, despite the very laudable talk of a shift from secondary to primary care, the Government's NHS objective is focused on hospital waiting lists. We're never going to get that transformational shift by continuing a narrow focus on measuring hospital performance.
Patients want a continuing care relationship with a dentist. That is what dentists want their contract to support them to do, because they know it is best for a long-term preventive approach to dental care.
Our recent research shows that half of people we spoke to wanted to be able to register with an NHS dentist like they do with a GP. But sadly this isn't the case.
Find out more about what people want from NHS dentistry #fixNHSdentistry.
www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2024-11...
Find out more about what people want from NHS dentistry #fixNHSdentistry.
www.healthwatch.co.uk/blog/2024-11...
December 3, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Patients want a continuing care relationship with a dentist. That is what dentists want their contract to support them to do, because they know it is best for a long-term preventive approach to dental care.