The devolved nations and abroad

What this lesson covers

Four systems, one profession
Wales: off UDAs from April 2026
Scotland: registered is not the same as seen
Northern Ireland: more dentists, fewer registered
Abroad, and lessons for England
How this comes up on the day

The words to use

Devolution (health): Health policy, including dentistry, is run separately by the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England's 2026 reforms apply only in England.
Registration (Scotland): Patients in Scotland register with a dental practice. 95.1% were registered in March 2026, which is not the same as being seen.
Participation rate: The share of registered patients seen in the last two years: 62.1% in Scotland in March 2026, and lower in deprived areas.
Item of service: Paying a dentist a set fee for each treatment. Scotland simplified its list to 45 items from 1 November 2023.
Water fluoridation: Adding fluoride to public water supplies to reduce tooth decay. About 1 in 10 people in England have it, against 73% in Ireland and 89% in Australia (DHSC, 2024).

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The words to use

Devolution (health)

Health policy, including dentistry, is run separately by the governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. England's 2026 reforms apply only in England.

Registration (Scotland)

Patients in Scotland register with a dental practice. 95.1% were registered in March 2026, which is not the same as being seen.

Participation rate

The share of registered patients seen in the last two years: 62.1% in Scotland in March 2026, and lower in deprived areas.

Item of service

Paying a dentist a set fee for each treatment. Scotland simplified its list to 45 items from 1 November 2023.

Water fluoridation

Adding fluoride to public water supplies to reduce tooth decay. About 1 in 10 people in England have it, against 73% in Ireland and 89% in Australia (DHSC, 2024).