The former MP for Stroud, Neil Carmichael, has been appointed to chair the Association of Dental Groups (ADG), which represents group and corporate providers of dentistry. He takes over from David Worskett, the ADG’s founding chair, who is retiring after seven years in the role.
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A new contract agreement between the BMA and NHS England has been announced. Headlines are increased funding and state-backed indemnity scheme for all GPs. Some 20,000 physios, pharmacists and paramedics are to be recruited to work with under-pressure GPs. The BDA has responded by saying that the Government now risks employing double standards in its approach to primary care.
Read more: BMA and NHS England announce new GP contract package
Figures obtained by GDPUK show that the increased patient charges mean in real terms, spending by the Government has been reduced over a 10 year period. When adjusted for inflation by whichever measure, the fall is more marked.
In reply to a question by Peter Dowd MP, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, health minister, Steve Brine MP, has shown that, in 2017/18, patients’ NHS dental charges amounted to £807m out of a total spend of £2,812m (28.7%). The net spending per head of the population was £36.04.
Read more: Government real spending on dentistry still falling
Professor Michael Escudier, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery RCS, warns that drinking alcohol carries serious oral health risks, including oral cancer, tooth decay, tooth erosion and accidental dental trauma. The FDS suggests cutting back on alcohol throughout the year should be on everybody’s plans, not just for ‘Dry January.’
Read more: Faculty warns of dangers to oral health of drinking alcohol
The BDA has thrown its support behind the Fizz Free February campaign, as it prepares to go national. Launched by Southwark Council in 2018, the campaign encourages the public to reduce their sugar intake by cutting out fizzy drinks. By committing to going fizz free for the entire month of February, supporters can develop new habits to make it easier to cut down on fizzy drinks for the rest of the year.
Portsmouth City Council and the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy have developed an animated film encouraging young children to look after their teeth. Councillor Winnington said: "We know it can be a struggle for parents to encourage their children to avoid sugary foods and drinks, and to brush their teeth twice a day, but hopefully the characters in this fun video will help them learn why it’s so important."
Read more: Portsmouth City Council launches animation to improve child oral health
The Daily Telegraph reports that the National Audit Office (NAO) is to probe claims of a deliberately “aggressive” official policy intended to deter patients from claiming their right to exemption from payment. According to the BDA more than 400,000 NHS dental patients a year are being fined £100 for form-filling mistakes, it has emerged as watchdogs launched an investigation.
Read more: Audit Office to probe fines imposed on exempt patients
The UK market for dentistry is estimated to be worth £7.1 billion as of 2017/18, according to a market report from LaingBuisson. This represents real terms growth of 0.2% during the year and suggests an optimistic future for UK dentistry market. They say that £3.6 billion is attributable to the private sector, and £3.5 billion to NHS spend.
Read more: LaingBuisson gives optimistic report on UK dentistry market
More than 1 million patients unable to get NHS dentist amid rising tooth decay crisis. Many are left in pain without the care they need and paying the price for ministers’ “indifference”, the BDA says. Analysis of the NHS GP Patient Survey found one in four patients, roughly 1.03 million people, are not on the books of an NHS dentist and have been unable to get an appointment in the past year.
Read more: Eddie Crouch: “High Street NHS dentistry is on the brink”