The Government's implementation group to assess the impact of the NHS dentistry reforms held its first meeting on 24 April. Participants included representatives from Citizens Advice, the British Dental Health Foundation, the British Orthodontic Society, the Welsh Assembly Government, the Dental Laboratories Association, strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and the NHS Business Services Authority.

The Department of Health said the group would monitor closely the evidence of how the new system was working in practice and look at whether changes would be needed. The BDA was offered a place on the group for a General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC) representative and also for a staff member.

Linda Wallace, Director of Professional Services at the BDA, attended this first meeting. Future involvement with the implementation group will be discussed at the next meeting of the GDPC.