The British Dental Association (BDA) has called on government to take heed of the latest expert advice to slash the recommended daily intake of sugar. The BDA is now launching an online petition to David Cameron, inviting both health professionals and patients to lend support to this advice. BDA Chairman, Mick Armstrong, said: “We have an historic opportunity here to end Britain's addiction to sugar.”
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Figures published by the Dental Schools Council confirm the highest ever number of clinical academics employed by UK dental schools, to a total of 592 full-time equivalent (FTE) clinical academics, and a headcount of 990. Of these, there were 383 FTE Professors, Senior Lecturers and Lecturers and 291 FTE Senior Clinical Teachers, Clinical Teachers and Researchers.
Read more: Numbers of dental clinical teachers show continued increase
Regulation of private clinics carrying out dental and other healthcare services, including non-surgical cosmetic interventions, will begin in Scotland next year. Healthcare Improvement Scotland will start regulating private clinics from April, where services are provided by doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and dental care professionals. Currently, there is no regulation for the non-surgical cosmetic industry in the UK.
A national policy to include dental surgeons in all health and educational database systems as well as GPs has been called for by Dr Robin Mills, Vice President of the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD), speaking at the Westminster Forum. Joined‑up thinking is essential, he said, to reduce the number of young children going into hospital in England and Wales for dental extractions under general anaesthetic.
Read more: Joined–up thinking essential to improve dental health of children - BSPD
The Faculty of Dental Surgery has launched its action paper calling for a clear government public health strategy to tackle poor rates of oral health across the country. Professor Nigel Hunt, Dean, Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons said: “It is unacceptable that one-third of five year olds suffer from tooth decay in England.”
Read more: Faculty calls for action over child dental health
Dentists must be allowed to get on and do their jobs without the shadow of oppressive regulation and the current culture of fear must be addressed, so that the best patient care can continue to be provided, BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said at the Westminster Health Forum. He told the Government: “Trust us, and accept and recognise, even celebrate, the good work we do.”