NASDAL member, John Grant, a dental specialist lawyer and partner in Goodman Grant described the latest goodwill figures as a “feeding frenzy,” which could not be ascribed to one single factor, but he agreed that young dentists were helping fuel prices. “They recognize that associate rates of pay are unsustainable and they believe that the best way forward is to own their own practice.”
No commentsITV Daybreak used GDPUK members for a survey into their follow up to the "Big Lie" letter in the Daily Telegraph. Given a short deadline, more than 340 NHS dentists completed the online questions. Those respondents are all members of the GDPUK forum. The survey is expected to find its way into the national media over the next few days.
The campaign, orchestrated by Haworth dentist Dr Tony Kilcoyne BDS, highlights the effects of the present NHS dental contract, imposed on dentists in 2006. Patients are disadvantaged by a poor system and the dental profession is trying to ensure the public knows it is the contract for dental services produced, implemented and championed by the Department of Health.
Tony Kilcoyne’s ‘Big Lie’ letter has been published in the Daily Telegraph, together with an article in its News section, headlined: 'NHS provision on the brink of crisis, ministers are told'. In a response Barry Cockcroft CDO NHS England is quoted as saying that "there is no credible evidence to support the suggestion that there is a 'growing disaster' in NHS dentistry."
Dental practitioners should only consider the use of antibiotics when the drainage of an acute dental infection cannot be achieved, says the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK). The FGDP(UK) is keen to highlight the ineffectiveness of antimicrobials on oral abscesses and the need for practitioners to ensure that they act responsibly to help slow the global development of antibiotic resistance.
The dental charity Bridge2Aid needs to raise at least £50,000 before the end of March 2014 to ensure the charity can continue its vital work. It has been the victim of a sophisticated financial fraud in Tanzania, orchestrated by an organised crime ring. It is also facing a large (70%), drop in funds from its main corporate sponsor.
To donate go to the website: http://www.bridge2aid.org
On 20 December 2013 Hayley Wilding, who didn’t attend Lancaster Magistrates’ Court was found guilty of unlawfully practising dentistry at Vanity Salon on Ulswater Road in Ridge in Lancaster. She was fined a total of £1,350, ordered to pay a £135 victim surcharge and full costs to the GDC of £1862.64. This is the second successful prosecution launched by the GDC since May 2013.