NHS Practices sales as a percentage of goodwill are still on the rise. The latest quarterly goodwill survey from NASDAL (The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers), reports that the market for NHS practices in particular is forging ahead with the average goodwill value secured for a practice with an NHS contract being 140% of turnover; up from 125% in the previous quarter.
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It was reported by The Times that ministers are considering a U-turn on a sugary drink tax after evidence from Mexico that a 10% tax led to a 12% drop in sales. It has the support of the profession and the chair of the Health Select Committee, but several readers have raised concerns about a possible tax in letters to the paper.
Ministers have recognised that dentists must be part of a joined-up response to the mounting cases of oral cancer. In a Westminster Hall debate both government and opposition acknowledged the vital role dentists can play in early diagnosis of mouth cancer. Mick Armstrong, Chair of the BDA, welcomed the speeches saying: “The spike in oral cancer cases shows precisely why we need real joined-up thinking across our health service.”
Hospital dentists took part in their first ever industrial action on Tuesday 12th January, as they joined their medical colleagues following government failure to address concerns on safe working and unsocial hours. Claire Harwood, an oral surgery trainee based in Sheffield said: “We are determined to stand with our medical colleagues and fight for our health service, and for a contract that’s fair and safe.”
As of 2013 the number of dentists licensed to practise in the Republic of Ireland stood at 2,649. The number of dentists per 100,000 of the population is the sixth lowest in the EU. Between 2008 and 2013 there were 183 fewer dentists practising in Ireland, despite a rise in the number of graduates. The Irish Dental Association says that ever more dentists leaving the country to pursue their careers, but not to the UK.
New research by the BDA indicates that around six per cent of associates may have no pension provision despite being entitled to access the well-regarded NHS scheme. A BDA survey of its associate members who qualified since 2006 revealed that 14 per cent of dentists had opted out of the NHS pension scheme at some point over the nine year-period examined, though 6 per cent re-joined later.