Plans from the GDC not to consult registrants on fee levels ever again are unacceptable, the BDA has told the regulator. BDA chair Mick Armstrong said: "There can be no justification for keeping the ARF at its current rate. We have paid for the GDCs mismanagement in previous years – it is now time for the regulator to live within its means.”
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In a recent session of questions to the Health Secretary, the parlous state of NHS dentistry was raised by several opposition constituency MPs. In answers, Junior health minister, Steve Brine MP, sought to deflect criticism of the Government’s policy or lack of it.
Read more: Minister seeks to defend Government policy on dentistry
The National Audit Office (NAO) says in a new report that NHS England and Capita misunderstood the risks in outsourcing primary care support services resulting in services to 39,000 GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacists that were a long way below an acceptable standard. Widespread failures are still being experienced by primary care practitioners.
The results of the Oral Health Survey of 5-year-old children 2017 show wide variation at both regional and local authority level for both prevalence and severity of dental decay. Overall 76.7% of 5-year-old children in England had no experience of obvious dental decay, for the fourth consecutive survey.
Read more: Decay rates lower for 5-year olds but inequalities persist
A new British Orthodontic Society survey released for National Smile Month reveals that the number of adults seeking orthodontic treatment in the UK continues to rise. Orthodontists asked if they were seeing an increase in private adult treatment, 80% said yes. This figure compares to 75% in 2016.
The BDA has expressed its disappointment that Ministers have refused to countenance any exemptions for primary care providers from the requirement to have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) in the Data Protection Bill.
During April 2018, several people were fined for illegal practise of dentistry. The highest amount was imposed on Chelsey Harwood, from Liverpool who was ordered to pay more than £11,000 in fines and costs. But Megan Barringer of Chesterfield was ordered to pay £650 and in Milton Keynes a fine of £600 was imposed. Finally in Chelmsford, a beautician was ordered to pay £2,500.
Read more: Fines levied in April for illegal whitening varied greatly across England
An investment of around £332,500 will be made in Bradford allowing more than 3,500 patients to access NHS dental services. In Spalding, there will be a relaunch of services at the Community Hospital together with an independent NHS practice opening 12 hours a day, seven days a week. But in Bury St Edmunds there are no dentists currently accepting new NHS patients.
Read more: Extra funding for some areas to improve access to NHS dentistry
A scheme that has helped 37 refugee doctors undergo training to work in Scotland is being expanded to include dentists. The New Refugee Doctors Project, launched in 2016, provides “comprehensive support” for refugees who were doctors in their home countries. It is expected 50 doctors and 10 dentists will be supported over the next year.