At its first ever online AGM, the BDA elected Professor Elizabeth Kay to be the next President of the Association. She will be installed next year and serve for two years, instead of the usual 12 months. The AGM, chaired by Eddie Crouch, received a report on its activities and finances during the year ending September 2019.
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Mouthwash can eradicate coronavirus within 30 seconds of being exposed to it in a laboratory, a scientific study has found. The preliminary result said that mouthwashes containing at least 0.07% cetypyridinium chloride (CPC) showed “promising signs” of being able to combat the virus.
Read more: New study: Mouthwash kills coronavirus within 30 seconds in laboratory tests
Junior health minister, Jo Churchill MP, has announced that NHS dental patient charges will rise by 5% from December 14, 2020. The charge payable for a band 1 or urgent course of treatment will rise by £1.10, from £22.70 to £23.80. For band 2 it will rise by £3.10 from £62.10 to £65.20. For band 3 course it will increase by £13.50 from £269.30 to £282.80.
Read more: NHS patients’ charges to rise by 5% despite pandemic
This year, the BDA Benevolent Fund has seen a three-fold increase in requests for help, a direct result of the challenges posed by COVID-19, and has been able to maintain the usual high level of assistance thanks to the dedication of the team and robust protocols. General Manager, Laura Hannon, commented, ‘We are here to help”.
Read more: Three-fold increase in requests for help from Ben Fund
Dental Protection is calling on the GDC and the Professional Standards Authority to do more as fear of investigations arising from Covid-19 and disruption to care, is becoming a growing concern for dentists’ mental wellbeing. Raj Rattan, Dental Director said: “We are particularly concerned to see that fear of regulatory investigation due to Covid-19 disruption has increased since we surveyed our members back in May”.
Read more: Dentists fearful of investigations arising from Covid-19 says Dental Protection
Restricted access to dental care due to COVID-19 resulted in greatly increased dental antibiotic prescribing, against an otherwise downward trend. In April to July 2020 was 25% higher than April to July 2019, with a peak in June 2020. The increase was highest in London (60%) and lowest in the South West (10%).
Read more: Antibiotic prescribing for dental conditions rose during Covid lockdown
Health Minister, Jo Churchill MP, was challenged in the House of Commons by Rosie Cooper Labour MP for West Lancashire to say what help the Government could give dental surgeries to improve their capacity. The Minister replied that the Department was ‘actively working on at pace’ and she would be meeting the BDA Chair, Eddie Crouch, to discuss what could be done.
Read more: Minister promises to meet Eddie Crouch to discuss effect of fallow time on practices
Dentists have provided around 19m fewer treatments in England since March this year compared to the same period last year, BDA figures show. PEC Chair Eddie Crouch said: “The clock is ticking on an oral health time bomb, as dentists lose the chance to act on the early signs of decay and oral cancer. Ministers have a choice. Make an investment that would pay for itself and bring millions back through our doors, or leave patients waiting for the care they need.”
Read more: Covid restrictions on dentists threaten patients’ oral health
The four Chief Dental Officers of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have written a letter to dentists to thank them for their professionalism and flexibility during the COVID-19 crisis and anticipating some of the challenges the profession is likely to face during the second wave. There have also been updates on Dentists as Essential Workers, priority for any Covid-19 vaccine and the Overseas Registration Exam.