The British Dental Association in Scotland has been contacted by members who are becoming increasingly frustrated by lengthy delays in getting the go-ahead for treatment plans, with many dentists footing the bill themselves rather than wait for funding. The matter was recently raised in the Scottish Parliament.
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The Dental Complaints Service (DCS) resolves most complaints about private dental care in less than a week, it says in its annual report. Receiving more than 9,800 calls in 2013, the DCS has reduced the average time it takes to resolve a complaint from 7 to 6.5 days. The DCS was launched in 2006 and helps patients and dental professionals resolve complaints about private dental care.
The latest goodwill survey from NASDAL for the quarter ending January 31st of this year shows that the North-South divide is reflected in dental practice sales figures. The deals also reflect the ongoing popularity of mixed practices. NASDAL member Alan Suggett said that the average goodwill value for an NHS dental practice was 88% of turnover, for a private practice, 89%, and all practices 97% of turnover.
A dentist's receptionist brought a patient back from the ‘dead’ when she rushed to his aid after he had a heart attack in the waiting room. Charlotte Anderson-Hughes and dentist Chandra Metha used a defibrillator on patient Simon Walker, 53, from Hyde, Cheshire after he collapsed in the waiting room of the practice in Mossley.
‘Smile in pink for Bridge2Aid’ will take place on Friday June 6th in partnership with the British Dental Health Foundation and National Smile Month, and they are asking practices and organisations to do just that – wear pink for one day to raise awareness of international oral health and Bridge2Aid work in developing nations. It really is that simple!