The British Dental Association (BDA) has written to Department of Health to press for the announcement of a timetable for the review of HTM 01-05 promised by the Chief Dental Officer in 2009. The BDA’s call coincides with the publication of new research on time-dependent recontamination rates of sterilised dental instruments in the 22 October issue of the British Dental Journal.

Southampton City council has voted by 2-1 to oppose the fluoridation of its water supply. Earlier this year the local Strategic Health Authority (SHA) won the legal right to introduce the measure. It has also been announced that NHS North West has abandoned its plans to spend £200 million on a fluoridation consultation.