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.
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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.
A new campaign has been launched by Public Health England encouraging parents to get ‘Sugar Smart’ and take control of their children’s sugar intake. A new app has been launched to help parents see how much sugar there is in everyday food and drink. It works by scanning the barcode of products and revealing the amount of total sugar it contains in cubes and grams.
Read more: 5 year olds eat and drink their body weight in sugar every year