Dental cares

Following Moneo's painful realisation that government policy is not designed to favour opticians (February 10), things move on for the dentists.

As, contrary to Government thinking on glasses, not everyone can drill teeth, one might consider their position strong, but many dentists' interpretation of private/NHS partnership will be reviewed.

Those treating children on the NHS but adults privately will be told unless all NHS patients are seen they will lose their contracts, which may not bother those in affluent areas, but others will lose patients. While this may appear a risky strategy for a government incapable of providing universal coverage, no doubt they are anticipating compliance from the majority of dentists.

Perhaps some might be freed up for NHS work, and any retaining children as private patients will obviously save the NHS money. Any similar ties to the optical scene will become apparent in the fullness of time!

How lucky are consultants, who, to be retained in the NHS can demand fat fees for private hospital work.
Mike Cooper
Enfield

Sizing up ABDO bill

We write in response to the item 'ABDO responds to concerns' (January 27). We are perplexed as to why James Russell and ABDO cannot answer the simple concerns of members as to how much ABDO has spent to date by way of grants and loans on the foundation of the college at Godmersham.

We can see that he may not wish to answer those who are not prepared to identify themselves, but we have asked these questions in an open Area 10 meeting at Godmersham, we have raised these queries in signed letters and face to face. We are still awaiting a clear reply.

It has been suggested to ABDO that the college's cost to members now exceeds 1m and this figure has not been denied. Concerns have been expressed that if anything should happen to the college then ABDO will not have the funds to survive. We are also aware that redecoration and refurbishment will soon have to take place at the Grade I listed building and the cost is likely to be substantial.

We would like to see an open account of all the monies on this project, bearing in mind that the ABDO College is a totally separate entity to ABDO itself. It has to be thus, under GOC rules, due to ABDO being an examining body and the college being an educational establishment. We would add that we are not against the setting up of the college, nor are we alleging any wrongdoing, we are simply concerned about the size of the bill and the apparent reluctance on the part of ABDO to answer the legitimate concerns of members.
David High, Graham Legg, Tim Bowden and Robert Jardine

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JC Bird
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