The 2013 version of HTM01-05 was published by the Department of Health on March 31, 2013.  It recognises that the 2009 edition was ‘not helpful’ in the management of frequently used instruments. It also reflects the changes in NHS structure that took place in April 2013.

The full text can be found at:  can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/cjghk3x

Bridgepoint has purchased Oasis Dental Care for £185m, it was widely reported today, in a deal to be completed this week. Other investments owned by this company include Fat Face and Pret a Manger. The vendor, Duke Street Capital, unusually, is retaining a small percentage to remain as a minority investor.

The price of £185m values Oasis on a multiple of less than 9 times EBITDA. Duke Street had taken Oasis off the Stock Market for £77m in 2007, at a multiple of 12, but Bridgepoint are paying much less than the £250m tag publicised last summer.

The British Dental Association (BDA) has welcomed a ruling by the NHS Litigation Authority that a primary care trust (PCT) must prove the level of inappropriate claims it is alleging a practice has made, rather than making assumptions based on a snapshot of a limited period of time or number of patients. Dr John Milne described the ruling as ‘a victory for common sense.’

Dental health experts say tooth decay in Welsh children remains too high despite a decrease in the number of five-year-olds with problems. The survey shows 41% of youngsters experienced dental decay in 2011-12, a decrease of 6% since 2007/08. But chief dental officer David Thomas said dental decay is "still too high".