The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has published details of the fees to be paid by different providers from 1 April 2014. There will be no increase for providers of dental services, but there will be different fees for single location dental providers to better distinguish between smaller and larger services.

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Read more: Different CQC Fees for different practices

Public Health England (PHE) has published ‘Water fluoridation: health monitoring report for England 2014’. It shows that children in areas of water fluoridation schemes have less tooth decay than those in places without such schemes. Sue Gregory, Director of Dental Public Health at PHE, said: “It is notable that the benefits of this public health measure appear to be greatest for children living in the most deprived areas of the country.”

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Read more: Public Health England confirms value of fluoridation

A new Employment Allowance, which could reduce practice-owners’ employer Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) by up to £2k each tax year, is due to be introduced from 6 April 2014. NASDAL member Alan Suggett says guidance on the new Employment Allowance has been published which states that a business that pays employer Class 1 NICs on employees’ or directors’ earnings can claim the allowance.  But there are some restrictions, he warns, and a need for clarification.

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Read more: Will your dental practice benefit from new employment allowance?

Dentists across England and Wales are being invited to influence the agenda for debate at the 2014 Annual Conference of Local Dental Committees (LDCs). Dr Tony Jacobs, the Chair of this year’s Conference, said: “I urge practitioners to take this opportunity to help shape the debate that will, in turn, help shape their future.”

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Read more: Dentists invited to influence 2014 LDC Conference agenda

The NHS Dental Statistics for England in the second quarter of 2013-14 show an increase in patients seen of 1.8 million compared with March 2006. There were small increases in the numbers of courses of treatment carried out compared with the previous year.

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Read more: Small increase in NHS patients seen