National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025: final business and regulatory impact assessment

Section 2: Engagement and information gathering

Engagement approach

The overall approach to engagement is proportionate to the changes being made, which are specific to the dental sector.

Prior Approval

Engagement has been undertaken with NSS to understand the current prior approval metrics and to gain insight into the potential appropriate clinical metrics to utilise in the new prior approval system. We have also engaged with NSS around the impacts that the changes to prior approval will have on their systems, staffing, and timings for developing and implementing the new system.

We have also engaged with the British Dental Association (BDA), as the representative body for the dental sector, in relation to the SSI. We will continue to engage with them to develop the precise mechanisms of the new prior approval system which will be included in the Statement of Dental Remuneration as we work towards implementation.

Mandatory Training

For mandatory training, we have engaged with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to determine whether they have the capacity to continue to deliver mandatory training with a potential for increased number of participants and to ensure that appropriate mechanisms will be in place to meet the requirements set out in the amendment regulations. We have also engaged with the BDA.

Internal SG engagement/ engagement with wider Public Sector

Internal SG engagement

As the changes are specific to NHS dentistry there is no implications for other policy teams within Scottish Government.

UK/ Devolved Administrations

As the changes are specific to NHS dentistry in Scotland engagement with other UK government departments has not been necessary.

Wider Public Sector

Engagement has been undertaken with NSS, as the body responsible for administering prior approval of behalf of the SDPB. Engagement has also been undertaken with NES as the delivery partner for mandatory training.

International

There are no implications for any international government organisations.

Business / Third Sector engagement

Engagement has been undertaken, and will continue throughout the implementation of these changes, with the British Dental Association as the representative body for dentists.

Public consultation

Public consultation has not been undertaken as the proposed changes are specific to the dental system.

Other stakeholders

No other engagement is currently planned.