What are the requirements for reporting orthodontic treatment outcomes using the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) Index and Managed Clinical Network (MCN) attendance?

All NHS orthodontic contractors in England and Wales are required to monitor treatment outcomes using the PAR Index. This is outlined in the General Dental Services Contracts Regulations (Schedule 1, Part 2, Paragraph 7).

If your NHS orthodontic contract started before April 2019, you must submit your PAR scores on a FP17O.

The minimum requirement is for every contractor to record the PAR scores for:

• 100% of cases if the contractor completes fewer than 20 cases per year
• 20 cases plus 10% of the remaining cases if the contractor completes more than 20 cases per year

The PAR score information be entered on the completion FP17O by selecting the conclusion tab.

This is available on either:

• your Dental Practice Management System (DPMS) if you submit your data by this method
• the online form provided by the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA)

NHS orthodontic contracts in England starting in April 2019 or later

In addition to the regulatory requirements, you must also submit independently assessed PAR scores for a sample of cases randomly selected by the NHSBSA. 

The sample comprises:

• 10 claims between 1 April and 30 September
• 10 claims between 1 October and 31 March

Full guidance on submitting PAR scores is available in the ‘Compass online form guidance’ section of our website.

If you do not have 10 claims to PAR score within the submission window, you’ll receive an error message.

If you need any further help, contact NHS Dental Services.  

Submitting a MCN Attendance Figure

If the sample being submitted is for 1 October to 31 March, you must record the number of MCN meetings attended during the entire year including 1 April to 30 September.