A total of 39.2 million courses of treatment (83.2 million UDAs) were delivered in England in 2017/18 by the NHS according to statistics published by NHS Digital. This was a fall of 1.8% compared with the previous year. 22 million adults (50.7%) and 6.9 million under 18s (58.6%) were seen by 24,306 dentists (84% under the GDS contract).
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NHS Digital reports that in 2016/17 there was a 0.7% decrease in taxable income of self-employed dentists in England and Wales, from £69,200 in 2015/16 to £68,700 continuing the downward trend since 2006/07. In Northern Ireland there was a 4.3% decrease from £69,400 to £66,400 in 2016/17. In Scotland there was a 0.1% increase from £67,700 to £67,800.
NHS Digital has reported on working hours, motivation and morale. They found that the more time dentists spend on NHS/Health Service work, the lower their levels of motivation. Low morale is related to increasing expenses and/or declining income and the risk of litigation and the cost of indemnity fees. Nearly two-thirds of Principal dentists and over half of all Associate dentists across the UK often think of leaving dentistry.
Read more: Report finds dentists work more hours, but have lower morale
The British Orthodontic Society is recommending the introduction of more robust editorial control by video platform YouTube in order that any footage demonstrating and promoting so-called “DIY braces” is removed. Those which encourage young people to try a DIY approach to teeth-straightening should be taken down from the platform as soon as possible.
The FGDP(UK) has endorsed new advice for dentists on the prophylactic use of antibiotics against infective endocarditis. Dr Nick Palmer, Editor of the FGDP’s Antimicrobial Prescribing For General Dental Practitioners said that the NICE recommendations have remained the same for 10 years, “antibiotic prophylaxis is not routinely required for invasive dental procedures”.
Read more: FGDP endorses latest advice on antibiotic prophylaxis
The BDA has responded to workforce figures published by the Dental Schools Council (DSC), which show a marked decline in professorial roles and research. The DSC reports that the number of clinical academics employed at professorial level in UK dental schools has declined by 8.3% since 2015, which the BDA believes undermines the UK’s global reputation as a leader in dental innovation.