Local Dental Committees (LDCs) in the UK were set up in 1948, at the inception of the NHS. In England and Wales, provision in statute has been made for them to be recognised and consulted since the NHS Act 1977. Local NHS representatives may consult with LDCs on any matters of local dental interest.
In both Scotland and Northern Ireland no provision is made for LDCs in statute. LDCs in both countries do exist however, and frequently consult with the health boards for their respective localities.
There are 110 LDCs across the UK.

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Who do LDCs represent?

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Where they are recognised, LDCs represent dentists with a General Dental Services (GDS) Contract and may represent dentists working under a GDS contract or a Primary Dental Services (PDS) agreement.

An LDC may only represent those dentists who are members or who are on an 'NHS Performers List' list at the locality covered by the LDC. 

 

LDCs can also represent dentists in the NHS community dental services and other spheres of dental practice, but this must be agreed locally.

 

Your local dental committee is a valuable resource during these difficult times. 

LDCs can support all dentists in their locality across a range of issues. They are ready and willing to help.

 

LDCs consist of NHS General dental practitioners from your area and usually secondary care and community representatives as well. They have deep insight into developments in your area and can represent you with local matters.  

 

Your LDC will be in close and regular contact with your NHSE commissioners and will speak for local dentists when any arrangements are being put in place to deal with the Coronavirus emergency.

 

Keep in contact with your LDC so they can:

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• Ensure you are kept up to date with new regional guidance as it becomes available.

• Feedback your concerns to the local NHSE team

• Feedback any local concerns to the BDA.

• Offer advice if there is anything you need to know about what is happening locally with dental services.

• Support you with empathy if you need someone to talk to.

• Signpost you to help if you are not sure where to turn.

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The LDC is funded by dentists via a statutory levy that is collected by the NHS Business Services Authority. We are independent from other bodies such as the NHS Commissioning Local Office, the Local Dental Network (LDN) or the BDA but share a close working relationship with all relevant bodies in order to maintain and establish high quality dental services and to improve outcomes for the local population.

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The constitution of the Essex LDC can be accessed here.

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