Figures released by HSCIC show that during the years 2013 and 2014 a total of 30 million patients saw an NHS dentist, 1.9 million more than in 2006, although expressed as a percentage of the population this is a slight decrease since then. During the second quarter (Jul-Sep) of 2014 an estimated 10 million courses of treatment were provided, with increases in Band 1 and Urgent and decreases in Bands 2 and 3.
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Researchers have found that tooth loss appears to be linked to both physical and mental decline in older adults and they suggest that it may serve as a potential early marker of decline in older age. In the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the team from University College London (UCL) in the UK analysed data from over 3,100 adults aged 60 and over living in England.
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, has pledged to take tougher action to protect children from commercial pressures and the harm caused by alcohol, sugar and smoke. In a speech launching the new approach, he said: “In a century of rising demand, helping people take more responsibility for their own health will be essential if we are to ensure the NHS remains affordable and sustainable for the future.”
Dental practices offering both NHS and private treatments have most allure to dental practice purchasers according to the latest goodwill survey from NASDAL for the quarter ending October 31. Alan Suggett, the NASDAL member who carries out the quarterly survey, said that the average goodwill value secured for a practice with an NHS contract was 164% of turnover and for a mixed practice it was 185% of turnover.
Read more: Higher goodwill values for mixed NHS/Private practices
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its advice on dental amalgam outlining its benefits and potential risks. It concludes that dental amalgam fillings safe for adults and children ages 6 and above. It says: ‘The weight of credible scientific evidence reviewed by FDA does not establish an association between dental amalgam use and adverse health effects in the general population.’
The Herald in Scotland reports that Scottish dentists ‘have pocketed nearly £17m in ‘reward’ bonuses from the public purse for carrying out work for the NHS’. It says: ‘Over the last two years dental surgeons have taken home golden hellos and extra ‘seniority’ and ‘commitment’ payments at a time of financial constraints in the public sector.’ BDA’s Graham McKirdy has responded vigourously on behalf of the profession.
Read more: Scottish newspaper runs article critical of dentists’ allowances