The BDA has expressed disappointment following the government’s failure to deliver pledged reforms on patient protection in the 2017-19 legislative programme, raising real questions about government’s commitment to reform. However new legislation, which could give official powers to the Health Service Safety Investigation Branch, was unveiled in the Queens Speech.
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Specialist financial services provider The Wesleyan Group has acquired Quality Plan, a dental plan administrator based in Northern Ireland. The Birmingham-based financial mutual already incorporates Practice Plan and DPAS, and provides a range of services to the dental profession. This acquisition will strengthen its position in the dental market further and opens up new opportunities in Ireland.
Children are better off eating crisps than raisins because of the damage the dried fruit cause to teeth, according to a report in the Sunday Times. Ben Atkins, a dentist and a spokesman for the BDA, said crisps were “totally fine” for teeth. Ordinary crisps were better because some children’s brands had added sugar, he added.
Dental Protection has called on the Government to implement a package of legal reforms to help tackle the rising cost of clinical negligence, and the challenging claims environment for dentists. Raj Rattan, Dental Director said: “We are calling on the Government to take urgent action, to help tackle the rising cost of clinical negligence.”
Read more: Dental Protection calls for reform to tackle negligence claims
The BDA has joined health associations and unions to urge a ‘change of direction’ on NHS pay restraint in this week’s Queen’s Speech. Groups representing all parts of the health workforce have written a joint letter to the Prime Minister to say the 1% cap is now putting safe patient care at risk. Civil Service unions have also lobbied Chancellor on this issue.
Police have arrested a dental student from Huddersfield who has appeared in court accused of plotting terror attack. Mohammed Abbas Idris Awan is accused of preparing an act of terrorism. He is a fourth year dental student at Sheffield University and was arrested in June by the North East Counter-Terrorism Unit following a raid in Sheffield and one on his family home.
Read more: Sheffield dental student arrested on terrorism charges