Sky News has reported that the cash-and-carry conglomerate Bestway is planning a £700m takeover of Integrated Dental Holdings. IDH is one of the UK’s largest dental corporates in the UK and trades as myDentist, which operates over 670 NHS and private practices.
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According to new research published by the Dental Defence Union (DDU), the majority (95%) of dental professionals surveyed stated that patients have been understanding of the changes that have been made during the pandemic. Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU commented: “Working practices have dramatically changed during the pandemic and it is good that the majority of patients have been understanding.”
Read more: Dental patients have been understanding during pandemic – DDU survey
In a New Year message to members BDA Chair, Eddie Crouch has called on dentists to share their experiences of the new lockdown with the MPs and ‘help us make a compelling case to government.’ He also asked dentists to write to their MPs calling for an end to the new UDA targets and an end to official ambiguity over ‘key worker’ status.
Promotions on food and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in retailers will be restricted from April 2022, the government has confirmed. Although this has been introduced as a measure to cut childhood obesity, it should also have some effect on the high incidence of dental caries, which is still the most common reason for hospital admissions in the 6-10 age group.
Read more: Promotions of unhealthy foods restricted from April 2022
In its latest briefing Healthwatch, the patients’ watchdog, has shared what over 1,300 people have told them about their experience of NHS dentistry during July and September 2020. They report a ‘significant increase’ in the number of people telling them about the problems they face when trying to get an NHS dentist appointment.
Read more: Healthwatch finds a ‘significant increase’ in people unable to access NHS dentistry
The Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley, has written to dentists to say that dental services are to remain open and see patients, during the period of new restrictions. Meanwhile Dave Cottam, chair of GDPC, has written to Secretary of State, Matt Hancock, asking him to abandon the 45% activity targets, with immediate effect.