The General Dental Council (GDC) has confirmed that 'safeguarding children and young people' and 'safeguarding vulnerable adults' are to be included as recommended continuing professional development (CPD) topics for dental professionals. The aim is to increase awareness about these important topics so that all dental professionals feel confident and equipped to raise any concerns about abuse or neglect of vulnerable people.

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Read more: `Safeguarding` becomes recommended CPD

The Rt Hon Alistair Burt MP  has been given responsibility for primary care at the Department of Health. This incorporates dentistry and ophthalmic responsibilities and includes GP contract reform, Out of Hours reform, pharmacy and primary care commissioning policy. He entered Parliament for the first time in 1983 (as MP for Bury North until 1997) and is now the Conservative MP for north east Bedfordshire.

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Read more: Ministerial responsibility for dentistry announced

It has been announced that David Prior has stepped down as Chair of the Care Quality Commission to become a Health Minister in the new Conservative government and will be given a peerage. He succeeds Earl Howe as Minister but his responsibilities have yet to be confirmed.

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Read more: CQC leader to join Government

The British Dental Association (BDA) has called on returning Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to tackle “unfinished business” on professional regulation. They have written asking him to launch a fundamental review of dental regulation. The Chair of the PEC, Mick Armstrong, said: “Professional regulation cannot get bumped to the bottom of the in-tray for the Health team.  The unambiguous and sustained failures at the General Dental Council are unfinished business, and require a clear response.”

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Read more: BDA calls on Hunt to act over GDC

Following last week’s General Election, the Prime Minister has announced a new Government team. The main changes involve filling posts left vacant by Lib-Dem MPs. Jeremy Hunt MP for South West Surrey continues as Secretary of State for Health although Lord Howe has left the team.

The initial published announcement from DH included Lord Howe as a Minister, but this was changed during the day on 13th May.

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Read more: New team of Health Ministers announced - AMENDED