The chair of the Commons Health Select Committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in advance of the Autumn Statement due to be delivered on Nov 23. She says that her Committee has concerns that the Government does not recognise the severe financial pressures under which the NHS is working.

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England looks set to reach five million type 2 diabetes diagnoses by 2020 – five years earlier than previously thought – prompting dental hygienists to call on health ministers to ‘take dentistry seriously’. Michaela O’Neill, president of the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy, says these shocking figures should serve as a warning to the government who must now invest time, money and energy into raising awareness of the importance of dental hygiene.

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Read more: Type 2 diabetes ‘timebomb’ prompts call on government to ‘take dentistry seriously’

Professor Jimmy Steele was awarded the John Tomes Medal at this year's BDA/BDJ Winter Lecture at the British Dental Association on 19 October 2016. The award was made to the Head of School and Professor of Oral Health Research at the University of Newcastle, in recognition of his immense contribution to the profession, through his work on dental contract reform, as well as in his daily role.

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The Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP(UK)) has welcomed a proposed 13.5% reduction in the annual fees dental surgeries pay to the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC, which regulates health and social care providers in England - including over 10,000 dental practices - is moving to a system of setting fees on a full-cost-recovery basis, and has opened a consultation on its proposed fees for 2017/18.

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Following Hull City Council receiving a draft feasibility report which indicates it is technically possible to  fluoridate community water supplies in Hull at the recommended levels, the Hull City Council is looking at the possibility of introducing water fluoridation. After a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee in November, a decision will be made on whether to proceed with fluoridation, if so a full public consultation will take place. The Local Dental Committee has been working with local and national bodies to introduce the measure. They said: “We need some help if we are to reduce the dental health burden in Hull and reduce dental health inequalities in our City.”

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Read more: Hull City Council moves towards water fluoridation