The Chief Dental Officer for England has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) outlining what action should be taken when dental practices re-open, just days before face to face care is resumed. But the BDA has warned that there will be no return to ‘business as usual’.
No commentsRead more: CDO issues guidance on re-opening practices, but not ‘business as usual’
Almost one-in-eight (12%) children have woken up from a nightmare about their oral health, according to the findings of a new study. The data, collected from around 1,500 British parents, suggests that today’s children are over ten times more likely to suffer from bad dreams about their teeth than an adult.
Read more: One in eight children suffer from nightmares about their teeth
Dental Protection has reassured all members working in England who choose to return to work that they will continue to be supported. Dental Director, Raj Rattan, said: “Our team at Dental Protection includes experienced clinicians, associates and practice owners, and we understand the myriad of challenges facing members during the current crisis, including the welfare of their staff, their patients and themselves.”
Read more: Dental Protection offers support to dentists deciding to re-open practices
Most of the British public are in favour of extending the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, as known as the sugar tax. Data collected by the Oral Health Foundation shows that 61% of the UK support an expansion of the current sugar tax. Milkshakes, fruit juices, smoothies and alcoholic mixers, which are exempt under the current sugar tax, all received equal backing as possible routes for an extension.
The BDA reports that, following the CDO’s letter confirming that practices in England could open for face-to-face care from 8 June, they have held further discussions with NHS England and the Office of the CDO. They will update members when they have more to share. FGDP(UK) said that, when practices open, the delivery of care ‘will be vastly different to what we knew before COVID-19’.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: Back to work, BDA and FGDP comment
The guidance: Implications of COVID-19 for the safe management of general dental practice supports dental professionals to take a risk and evidence-based approach to providing safe general dental care in the current circumstances. It was developed jointly with the College of General Dentistry, and with the involvement of a wide range of other national dental organisations.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: FGDP guidance for safe return to practice published