Changes in the balance between dentists, patients and funders in the NHS and their consequences.

This paper explores aspects of professional culture in dentistry that may impact on the delivery of equitable dental services in the future. After 2009, commissioners will have to ration National Health Service budgets for health services and dentistry will compete with other services. Therefore, the delivery of equitable oral health services may be an advantage in the case for dentistry and subsequent funding. We report our opinions on the changes currently occurring in dentistry in England and Wales, based on the evidence available to us from the literature, and consider the risks and opportunities that have arisen.