The Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) has published its report on aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) and COVID-19. The BDA reports that it is not new government guidance, but rather a review which aims to inform policy makers. They’re therefore urging all four nations to consider this report’s recommendations and to move forward in a clear and coordinated way.

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Read more: COVID-19: Update: Scottish group publishes report on AGPs

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have failed to offer a reason as to why NHS dentists and staff in England are to be denied free access to flu jabs this winter.

A letter addressed to ‘All NHS frontline workers’ was erroneously sent out to every NHS dentist in England last week.  The letter strongly urged frontline workers to take up the offer of free vaccination in order to “protect ourselves, our teams and patients.” The letter pointed out that “This is anything but a typical year due to the potential impact of flu and COVID-19 circulating at the same time.” The letter emphasised “As we all know, flu can have serious and even fatal consequences, especially for our most vulnerable patient, such as young children, pregnant women and the elderly.”

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Read more: DH Confirms No Free Flu Vaccine For Dental Teams

Eddie Crouch has been elected as the new chair of the British Dental Association’s Principal Executive Committee (PEC). Has has been Vice chair of the PEC since 2014, he served as secretary of Birmingham Local Dental Committee for over ten years and is now its chair. 

Eddie qualified in 1984 from King’s and currently provides orthodontic care for patients in South Birmingham.

Peter Crooks (Northern Ireland) has been elected as the new deputy chair, with Shareena Ilyas (Greater London) to serve as chair of the Education, Ethics and the Dental Team Working Group. 

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Read more: Eddie Crouch elected to Chair the BDA

All NHS frontline workers have been urged “to take up the offer of free vaccination against flu as soon as possible; and to remind your patients to get their vaccine”. They have been told to: “all do our bit and take this important step to protect our patients, those we care for and ourselves this winter.” However the term ‘NHS frontline workers’ apparently does not include dentists and their teams.

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Read more: BDA: Failure to extend flu jabs scheme risks deepening crisis on access

The BDA reports on the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme’s rapid review of the evidence related to the generation and mitigation of aerosols in dentistry. BDA Wales has conducted a telephone survey of 52 dental laboratories across Wales to ascertain their viability. From October dentists will be able to sign up to a bulletin from NHS England. Finally, guidance has been issued on re-opening open plan clinics in dental schools.

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Read more: COVID-19: Update: News for week ending September 21