The British Dental Association (BDA) has announced the results of elections to its Principal Executive Committee (PEC). Eddie Crouch, Stephen Shimberg and Tim Harker were re-elected. With new members Jason Stokes for Eastern and Len D’Cruz gaining the UK-wide seat. They will each serve for three years.
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According to The Herald some dentists in Scotland had gross earnings of more than £500,000 from the NHS last year and two dental practitioners ‘clawed back more than £1 million in taxpayers' money for services provided to the public’. A spokesperson for the BDA said: "These figures include the money practitioners need to set aside for staffing, premises and equipment. They don't reflect the reality of life on frontline of dentistry in Scotland”.
The case of Northern Ireland dentist, Colin Howell, and the murders he committed are set to be be turned into major TV drama. Talks are in hand with ITV over the film, with James Nesbitt cast as the Ballmoney dentist, it is rumoured. Film and television director, Stuart Urban, who won a Bafta for his 1993 dramatisation of the Falklands War has been in negotiations with Belfast journalist Deric Henderson, who wrote a bestselling book about the murders called Let This Be Our Secret.
During a short debate in Westminster Hall Health Minister, Dr Daniel Poulter MP, said that the General Dental Council (GDC) will have to make substantial improvements in its ways of working. He also questioned the need for the ‘unprecedented’ rise in retention fee (ARF), but stressed that the Government recognised the independence of the health regulators.
Read more: Minister understands dentists’ complaints about GDC
At a Special Conference of Local Dental Committees (LDCs) held in London on Dec 5, a motion expressing no confidence in the General Dental Council (GDC) was passed clearly and unanimously. Delegates raised their red cards to show their profound disapproval, not only about the massive increase in retention fee, but also the way that the GDC operates.
The General Dental Council (GDC) has responded to the unanimous vote of condemnation by the LDC Special Conference on December 5th. The Council says it is ‘disappointing’ that the LDCs have chosen to go down this route and it is of ‘extreme concern’ to the GDC that they are construing this ARF increase as potentially having an impact on patient access to dental services. “This unfounded and inflammatory stance will do nothing but worry patients unnecessarily”, they say.