Dental surgeries are ’coronavirus heaven’ Professor Mike Lewis warns it will be ’very difficult to return to normal’. He said he does "not foresee" a return to normal any time soon. He also said that maintaining good oral hygiene could help prevent the spread the virus, a view echoed by Prof Martin Addy.
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The CDO sees the NHS Urgent Dental Care system expanding as the public health measures are reviewed, she said in a letter to dentists. She said: “As we move towards recovery there will be several thousand COVID-19 positive patients requiring care.”
Replying to a Parliamentary Question, Jesse Norman MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury said that the Government did not consider properties providing medical services were eligible for a business rates ‘holiday’. This despite repeated pressure from MPs across the House, the BDA and the newly formed British Association of Private Dentistry.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: Treasury says NO to business rates relief for private practices
Tony Jacobs, who spent three weeks in intensive care after contracting coronavirus, has thanked the NHS staff who saved his life. Now he says he wants to repay the nurses and doctors who helped him. His family have now set up a fundraising page to help the hospital staff, and are asking people to donate at: www.gofundme.com/f/thank-you-to-the-team-who-looked-after-tony-jacobs
Various States in the USA have indicated that they are considering easing restrictions on dentists carrying out routine treatment. The American Dental Association has developed a toolkit to help dentists return to more normal practice operations as some states reopen. The American Dental Hygienists’ Association want to make sure hygienists have access to the necessary protective gear if their offices do reopen.
Some 28 Conservative MPs from across England have sent a message to the Chancellor asking for relief from business rates to be extended to mixed and private dental practices, the BDA reports. There has, however, been mixed responses to questions from MPs and pressure put on Chancellor.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: More pressure being put on Chancellor by MPs