Patients will have to wait weeks for GP appointments even if a Conservative government fulfils a promise of thousands more doctors, an analysis in Pulse suggests. Waiting times will “rocket” without drastic measures to cut the numbers visiting a doctor, three-week waits will become the norm unless doctors put in more hours of overtime every week, the findings suggest.
No commentsRead more: GPs warn three-week waiting list will become norm
Chewing just one additional piece of sugarfree gum each day could save £3.3 billion worldwide on dental expenditures from treating tooth decay, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Dentistry. Other research has shown the NHS could save up to £8.2 million per annum if all twelve year olds in the UK were to increase their chewing of sugarfree gum.
New data has been released in the Brush-Baby Mums & Gums Survey, reporting mothers’ habits and perceptions on baby oral care and teething. The survey reveals confusion amongst mothers including what age a child should first visit the dentist, with only 13% believing they should first take their baby to the dentist at 6 months.
Read more: New survey reveals mothers unaware of benefits of early oral care
The British Society of Dental Therapists (BADT) and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) are pursuing ‘exemptions’ to the Medicines Act, which would mean that a list of prescription only medicines would be specified in legislation for dental therapists and dental hygienists to administer or supply. They are running a joint fundraising campaign to raise money to achieve this.
Read more: Hygienists and therapists raising funds to allow prescribing
Peter Dyer, consultant oral and maxillo-facial surgeon at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay, has been installed at BDA President for 2017-18. His main clinical interests are trauma and the treatment of dento-facial anomalies. He previously chaired the BDA’s Hospitals Committee.
BDA chair Mick Armstrong said: "We've been so proud to make Manchester home to our national conference, and we just want to do our bit to help our hosts and friends in the aftermath of this horrific attack. Quite rightly Manchester has resolved to carry on. Our thoughts are with all the families touched by this atrocity."