For the period April 1 to June 7 there will be a 16.75% abatement of the contract value for all England practices except for those acting as Urgent Treatment Centres, who will have no abatement in view of their use of PPE. From June 8 all practices that have been able to operate will also have no abatement, subject to certain conditions outlined in the guidance.

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Read more: COVID-19: Update: NHS issues long awaited details of financial settlement for practices in England

Dentists in England are still waiting for answers on the general dental practice contract. GDPC Chair, Dave Cottam, has written to Health Minister Jo Churchill MP  ‘to express our ongoing deep frustration’ over the lack of progress in confirming the contractual arrangements for general dental practice during the pandemic. Update on the length of the fallow period following treatments is also awaited.

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Read more: COVID-19: Update: Another week gone and dentists are still waiting

A majority of dental professionals surveyed (68%) believe that their stress and anxiety levels have increased since the pandemic according to new research published by the Dental Defence Union (DDU). This comes as the DDU launches a new health and wellbeing e-learning course which focuses on strategies for coping with adversity.

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Read more: Stress and anxiety levels have increased since the pandemic – DDU survey

Dental Protection has reassured its members that their membership and ability to request assistance is unaffected if they are unable to wear a fit-tested mask and they can seek assistance from Dental Protection in the usual way. This reassurance follows several queries from dental professionals in recent weeks concerned about their inability to wear a fit-tested mask for a number of reasons.

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Read more: Covid-19: Dental Protection reassures members of support if unable to wear a fit-tested mask

The BDA has had a busy week, both in the media and updating members on developments across the UK. However they are still awaiting a reply to GDPC Chair’s letter expressing his ‘considerable concern and disappointment’ at the ongoing delays in addressing a number of key NHS contractual issues relating to the pandemic period. Plus answers are needed on the 60 minute fallow time following treatments.

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Read more: COVID-19: Update: Week ending July 3