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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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.
For the first time in eight years, the profit level of the average private dental practice is almost the same as the average NHS dental practice, based on the latest benchmarking statistics from the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL). The average net profit in 2012/13 for a principal of a private practice was £124,086 compared to £125,958 for a principal of an NHS practice.
Dr Mick Armstrong has been elected to serve as new Chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA’s) Principal Executive Committee (PEC). Dr Armstrong said: “I look forward to leading the profession as it attempts to navigate the minefield of complexity it is confronting.”
Dental students at Aberdeen dental school risk failing their final year due to a shortage of patients on whom to practise. The school has twice written to local dentists appealing for them to refer patients to alleviate a potential training crisis. A lack of volunteers is reported to be putting students' degrees at risk.
From April 1 patient charges for NHS dental treatment in England will rise. Charges for Band 1 treatment will go up by 50p, from £18 to £18.50. The charge for Band 2 treatments will rise by £1.50 from £49 to £50.50. For Band 3 treatments the charge will rise by £5 from £214 to £219.
These charges are collected by dentists but form a tax on having dental treatment.