Three news stories breaking in dentistry today. 

The news desk has been informed that HMRC have finally decided on the status of associates. As a result of their investigations into whether associates can be termed employees or not, HMRC have come to the conclusion that indeed most associates, and particularly those on the NHS, are not able to show they have the independence of working conditions that protects a self-employed status. HMRC are expected to begin to implement reclamation of what they consider is unpaid tax and NI from the employers of associates, and are expected to back date this for six years as is their legal ability to do so.

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Read more: Today's latest news digest

Changes to the fees that CQC will charge for the year 2019/20 have now been confirmed and will take effect from 1 April this year. Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) said the rise would “enable us to fulfil our purpose of making sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality care.”

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Read more: Rise of 13% in CQC fees for 2019/20 confirmed

According to the findings of a new YouGov survey, less than one in three (29%) British children aged between five and 16 are given lessons about the importance of good oral care. The research highlights how far UK schools are falling behind when it comes to teaching young children about looking after the health of their mouth.

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Read more: UK schools ranked worst for educating children about their oral health

Steve Brine MP for Winchester and Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Primary Care, including Dentistry and Public Health resigned from the Government last night to vote for an amendment tabled by Oliver Letwin allowing Parliament to take control of Brexit process. Two others resigned, Richard Harrington, business minister, and Alistair Burt, who was previously a dentistry minister.

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Read more: Dentistry minister resigns after Brexit vote

The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a new public consultation which asks people for their views on ways to reduce the number of adverts for foods high in fat, sugar and salt that children are exposed to. Steve Brine, Public Health Minister, said: “It is not right that our children are so widely and easily exposed to adverts promoting foods high in fat, sugar and salt.”

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Read more: Junk food TV ads to be banned before 9pm