Dental update
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This article aims to give dental practitioners the background to the new NHS quality agenda. The clinical context of Lord Darzi's NHS review is examined alongside other policy documentation and Professor Jimmy Steele's independent review of NHS dental services. The potential impact of the new quality requirements on general dental practitioners is considered. Finally, opportunities for development are suggested so that practitioners can engage with the quality agenda and can demonstrate quality measures and improvements. ⋯ All general dental practitioners in both the NHS and private sectors have an obligation to continue to deliver high quality dental services. Dentists practising in England will need to ensure that they comply with new quality requirements by 2011.