The clarification, issued by NHS England and NHS Improvement, covers Abatement reconciliation, Patient care activity, Other contracts, eg orthodontic, domiciliary and UDCs, Staffing assurance. It answers many of the questions raised by GDPs, although the language is a little technical in places. A link is also provided through the BDA website.
No commentsRead more: NHS England: clarification fact sheet on dental contract
The revised document, COVID-19:Guidance for the remobilisation of services within health and care settings, has been issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health Wales (PHW), Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern Ireland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS)/National Services Scotland, Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England as official guidance.
Read more: Revised guidance issued for all healthcare settings across all four countries of UK
The Local Government Association has published figures showing that last year there were nearly 45,000 hospital operations to remove rotten teeth in children and teenagers – equating to 177 a day and warn of a potential post-coronavirus surge of dental treatments following the lifting of lockdown. The BSPD says there should be a resumption in toothbrushing schemes in early years settings as soon as practical.
Read more: LGA: Nearly 180 operations a day to remove rotten teeth in children
In an article for Politicshome, Neil Carmichael, Chair of the Association of Dental Groups said they were launching a national campaign calling on ministers to take urgent action to address the crisis in UK dentistry, which is worsening by the day. He said that all of the signs point to a “worrying picture with lockdown having led to fewer patients being seen and some of the most vulnerable groups being hit hardest.”
In a widely forecast move, health secretary, Matt Hancock has abolished Public Health England, admitting that the UK was not adequately prepared for the Covid-19. In its place he has created a new National Institute for Health Protection to fight pandemics. The move leaves open the question of what happens to other public health responsibilities, such as strategies to improve oral health.
Read more: Public Health England axed, but where does it leave oral health strategy?
BADT and BSDHT Presidents have taken the unprecedented action of writing to all Council members of the GDC ensuring awareness is raised, and demanding the "daughter test" is applied. Of great concern are the risks to patient safety by allowing untested foreign national dentists treat UK patients as therapists.
Read more: Dental therapists demand action from Council of GDC