Defibrillators are to be installed in every NHS dental practice across Scotland to help save more people who have a heart attack in the community. Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “There are almost 1000 NHS dental practices in the centre of Scottish communities. By giving them this equipment we are providing 1000 more chances to save a life. I believe that this investment will save many more lives.”
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The British Dental Association (BDA) has condemned a Department of Health (DH) announcement that the salary of dental foundation trainees (DFTs) is to be reduced in the future. Dr Mick Armstrong, Chair of the BDA’s Principal Executive Committee, said that the proposal would sound alarm bells across the profession. “Targeting those at the start of their careers,” he commented, “will appear to many as an attempt to prey on the most vulnerable members of the profession. We will oppose such an attack vigorously.”
NHS England has announced ‘Dental contract uplift and efficiencies for 2014/15’. the Department of Health has decided to uplift all GDS contracts and PDS agreements by 1.6% to allow for a 1% increase in net pay. Other savings include: amending dental payments for maternity, paternity and sickness leave and reducing dental foundation trainee salaries over time to match the first post registration year for doctors to regain a level playing field in this area.
Full details can be found at: http://www.england.nhs.uk/2014/03/31/dental-contract/
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.
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.”
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.
Read more: Will your dental practice benefit from new employment allowance?