FP17 DC forms

hi ​@Saymon . Thank you. We had one dental health board ask us to use the FP17DC and that's the reason we asked. We do use the estimate and it works great. I understand now and we will look into uploading it instead. 

I remember asking this same question when we joined Dentally in summer 2023.  

I would have thought if the FP17DC form changes from time to time then it's a signal that it's important for Dentally to replicate it in order for practices to remain compliant with the necessary NHS regulations. 

The Dentally version of the treatment form seems very basic and does play on my mind if there ever was a practice audit or investigation.  

​@Saymon Has it been qualified that the NHS will accept the Dentally version in the event of an investigation etc?

Hi ​@BCDC2023 ,

NHSBSA guidance confirms that practices can use a form generated by their practice management software, provided it:

• Is signed by the patient
• Includes the same information as the official treatment plan form

From the NHSBSA knowledge base:

“Practices can also use a form generated by their practice management software. This must be signed by the patient and include the same information as the treatment plan form.”

In Dentally, this requirement is met when you use the ‘NHS Estimate’ template, which includes the second page with the NHS terms and relevant patient declaration. That’s the version aligned to NHSBSA guidance.

So while Dentally doesn’t replicate the FP17DC layout exactly, the NHS Estimate template is designed to contain the required information and is compliant under NHSBSA’s own published guidance.

If your local commissioner specifically mandates use of the FP17DC form itself, then you would need to follow their direction. But from an NHSBSA standpoint, a compliant PMS-generated form is permitted 😊

I just checked with Elli, the AI support assistant, which answered as follows - 

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Good question — this is a common point of confusion.

No, an NHS treatment plan estimate cannot be used instead of an FP17 form.

• FP17 form = the official NHS patient declaration confirming the patient’s NHS status and exemption. It’s required when a patient is new, starting a new treatment plan, or attending for an emergency. 
• Treatment plan estimate = a document showing the proposed treatment and costs for the patient to review and sign. It’s only for consent and information, not an NHS declaration. 

So the estimate is useful for patient consent, but it does not replace the FP17 for NHS purposes.

Did that fully solve your issue, or is there something you'd like me to explain further?

Hi. The new FP17DC forms have been updated to show treating clinician and the following phrase: “The clinician named on this form is providing you with a course of treatment. Information regarding your NHS dental treatment is detailed overleaf.”

This has been welcomed as a good defence for a claim under vicarious liability. Is there any way of adding treating clinician using data tags or something? There is no reference to treating clinician within the whole estimate.

Thanks