The BDA is concerned about the 9,500 dentures that are lost each year in NHS hospitals. The figures come from a BDJ study which investigated the loss of dentures in hospital trusts in Kent, Surrey and Sussex over a five-year period and the cost of replacing these. Of the 11 trusts that provided data, a total of 695 dentures were lost. Seven of the trusts reported that it cost £357,672 to replace these.
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The BDA has published a survey of its GDP members which indicates that almost 58% of dentists who responded are planning on turning away from NHS dentistry in the next 5 years. GDPC chair, Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen said: “Practices across the UK are already reporting major recruitment problems. This is a crisis made in Westminster, and Westminster must respond.”
Read more: Over half of NHS young dentists heading for the exit says BDA
Practice Plan has published its latest NHS Confidence Monitor survey and, for the first time, private dentists have been approached for comment too. The focus for this survey switched from the profession’s confidence in the future of NHS dentistry to their happiness levels working within it. The results show a deep gulf between the happiness levels of NHS dentists compared to private dentists.
Read more: Dentists in NHS are much less happy than those in private practice
A mydentist practice in Taunton, Somerset is to close due to ‘high running costs’. The practice team has written to patients telling them it will no longer offer NHS or private dental services after the end of October. NHS England says the practice recently handed in its NHS contract and dental provision in the area is being reviewed.
Read more: Corporate closes practice due to ‘high running costs’
A new map of the UK which depicts levels of NHS dental access for children aged two and under has been created for the first time by the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD). The map has been drawn up to coincide with the national launch of Dental Check by One.The data highlights the challenges that lie ahead in raising public awareness of this important milestone in children’s oral health.
Read more: Access figures for 0-2 year-olds highlight North-South divide
New data from NHS digital show that the total number of written complaints from patients about primary care practices in 2016-17 was 90,579, an increase of 9.7% since last year. Of these complaints with 83.2% were related to GPs and 14.6% to dental practices. Just over half of these (50.2%) were not upheld.
Read more: Complaints about GPs and dentists doubled in last decade