BDA Chair, Mick Armstrong and CEO, Martin Woodrow, had a virtual meeting with the Health Minister, Jo Churchill MP and CDO for England, Sara Hurley, as well as with colleagues from NHS England. UNW’s Dental Business Unit updates its financial advice. Dental teams are stepping up to the challenges of COVID-19.
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The London Evening Standard has reported that dentists have used 3D printers to design a high-protection visor for frontline medics that is about to be produced in vast numbers for the new Nightingale Hospital. Professor Shakeel Shahdad, from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, said dentistry was a high risk for the virus.
Read more: Visors made by dentists on 3D printers to be rushed to front line
The BDA has published an NHS information package on redeployment of the clinical dental workforce. The NHS says the dental workforce has a wide range of skills and experience that can be utilised to undertake activities that will help clinical colleagues and the wider workforce. The BDA has also given practical guidance for members only on assessing risk and an uopdate on furloughed workers and NHS payments.
Read more: COVID-19 Update: What redeployment means if you volunteer
The BDA has confirmed that a breakthrough on furlough for mixed practices has been made. Chair Mick Armstrong says it will be a ‘lifeline’ to many practices. The Lancet has also published an article on urgent dental care for patients during the pandemic – a link is given to the full article. Finally, an updated financial support package has been announced for dentists in Northern Ireland.
Read more: COVID-19 Update: BDA announces breakthrough on furlough for mixed practices
An international study raises questions over sugar levels in formula baby milk which in some cases can be as much as twice that of Fanta, reports the Daily Telegraph. Researcher, Gemma Bridge, said the use of sweeteners not only encouraged more mothers to buy the products because babies liked them but also risked creating a preference for sweet tastes at a young age which could have a detrimental effect on future eating habits.
Read more: BDJ study shows some baby milk contains more sugar than Fanta
The BDA has secured an agreement with NHS England that mixed NHS/private practices, who wish to claim against additional Government support schemes, including the ‘furlough’ of staff, should ensure that this claim is in relation to the proportion of private revenue only. In addition, new personal protective equipment guidance has been issued by the authorities.
Read more: COVID-19 Update: BDA secures financial support for mixed practices