University of Liverpool researchers are to reveal the emerging findings of a three-year study into factors influencing responses to NHS contracts in general dental practice, at a conference on 11 February 2014.

The research project, funded by the National Institute of Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme, examined the tensions involved in working within the framework provided by NHS dental contracts, and why getting dental contracting right (and the commissioning of general dental practice) is challenging.

The research team is holding the event in Liverpool to reveal the findings which include a systematic review of healthcare contracting theory, case studies of dental and medical practices, interviews with a range of stakeholders and commissioners, and the results of a questionnaire to general dental practitioners. The speakers will be Professor Rebecca Harris, Elizabeth Lynam and Professor Jimmy Steele.

Last month the British Dental Association (BDA) warned that new contractual arrangements must work for practitioners and patients alike if confidence in the future of NHS dentistry in England is to be maintained, and to 'avoid the pitfalls seen around the changes in 2006, which prompted many dentists to pursue a future away from the NHS and triggered scenes of queues around the block to access dental care'.

Pilots of a new NHS dental contract are underway, with a new contract expected in 2015.