Analysis of replies to Freedom of Information requests submitted to all local NHS areas in the UK by Pulse, the magazine for GPs, suggested 367,937 patients were displaced from their (GP) surgeries last year, forcing them to make longer journeys to see a GP. Earlier this year the BDA reported that 1 million new dental patients were unable to access NHS dentistry, ‘as recruitment and retention crisis mounts’.
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The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s dental faculty has warned that Ireland is losing dentists it has trained to other countries through a lack of dental specialist training in the Republic. It says that many dentists training to become dental specialists are forced to travel abroad to study because Ireland has no formal mechanism for State-sponsored training.
Read more: Ireland is ‘losing dentists’through lack of specialist training
The Migration Advisory Committee has published its review of the Shortage Occupation List, adding veterinarians, web designers and architects, but significantly not dental practitioners. This was despite evidence from the BDA that many practices were having trouble recruiting and from the GDC that a third of European graduates might be leaving in the next five years. The Home Affairs Committee has also called on Government to protect EU citizens rights to work in UK
Read more: No shortage of dentists says Government committee
New research suggests charcoal-based dentifrices may increase the risk of abrasions, contribute to tooth decay and fail to whiten teeth. The BDA’s Prof Damien Walmsley said they offer ‘no silver bullets’ and come with real risks attached. He told those tempted to use them: "Don’t believe the hype. Anyone concerned about staining or discoloured teeth that can’t be shifted by a change in diet, or improvements to their oral hygiene, should see their dentist."
Barclays Bank has revealed that business loans to dentists have near doubled in the last two years, as dentists race to expand premises and invest in new technology to keep up with consumer demand. Eight out of ten UK dentists (82%) believe celebrity culture has increased demand in consumers looking for a ‘Hollywood smile’. Over a quarter of British people surveyed said they are unhappy with their smile.
Following the election of Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen to the European Parliament, the BDA has announced that he is standing down from the chairmanship of its General Dental Practice Committee. A new chair will be elected at a meeting on June 19. Co-Vice Chairs Shaun Charlwood and Dave Cottam will be covering his responsibilities in the intervening period.
Read more: Henrik stands down as GDPC chair following his election as MEP