In reply to a written question in the House of Lords, the Government has said the current guidance does not extend business rates relief to properties providing medical services, including dental practices, which have not been required to close to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and that there were no plans to amend this guidance further.
No commentsRead more: Government gives ‘clarification’ on business rates
The Practice Plan Group, which includes two of the UK’s leading membership plan providers, Practice Plan and DPAS, has announced that, in April and May, they will be giving back half of their monthly admin fee to their client practices to help them with cash flow throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
Read more: Practice Plan and DPAS to give back half of their admin fee to dentists
The BDA has issued a press release, Dentists: Practices weeks from collapse without rapid action from government which has attracted much media attention. It was based on a self-selected survey in which 71.5% of practices that responded reported they could only remain financially sustainable for 3 months or less, with 1 in 5 (20.4%) estimating they can only survive the month.
Read more: BDA warns that practices are weeks away from collapse without help from Government
The BDA has urged Chancellor Rishi Sunak to reassess his deal for the self-employed or see the viability of the dental service fatally undermined - as new evidence suggests over three-quarters of dentists will receive no support from the Treasury scheme, with some left with zero income for the foreseeable future.
Read more: BDA warns Chancellor that dental service is at risk
The BDA has again spoken (in a virtual meeting) with health minister, Jo Churchill, to discuss a number of urgent issues, including lack of progress in setting up the Urgent Dental Care system in England. Earlier in the week this was the subject of a major BBC news report. The GDC has sent an update, including its refusal to reduce the Annual Retention Fee.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: End of week round-up, BDA, BBC and GDC
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.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: BDA has virtual meeting with Minister and CDO