The latest NASDAL (National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) Benchmarking Report for 2017-18 shows a decrease of 3% in net profits for a typical dental practice. Whilst income for NHS and private practices has increased, there has been an increase in most expenses – notably Associates’ costs and wages, possibly the cost of Brexit
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A new ‘blue plaque’ has been unveiled as part of the University of Birmingham’s history trail which celebrates the work of two innovative dentists, Harold Round and his colleague Arthur Parrott, who were both instrumental in developing an early version of the airbag to prevent impact jaw fractures during the First World War.
Read more: Birmingham University unveils blue plaque for two dentists
During a short debate on children’s oral health in the House of Lords, health minister, Baroness Blackwood, said There is a level of concern about recruitment and retention of dentists, and those difficulties needed to be addressed by NHS England. She was replying to an intervention by dentist Lord Colwyn who said that dentists’ morale was so low that every week practices were closing.
Read more: Minister expresses ‘concern’ over recruitment of dentists
Whilst elite athletes appear healthy and free from obvious health issues making them ideal brand ambassadors, high-calorie, low nutritional value foods can cause damage to their teeth and gums. Professor Ian Needleman and Dr Paul Ashley of the Centre for Oral Health and Performance have described their research into athletes’ oral health in a blog in the publication Healthy Stadia.
The Times reports that Lord Prior of Brampton, who chairs NHS England, has described the NHS over which he presides as a dysfunctional system, in an attack on 25 years of ‘flawed health policies’. He said that targets, competition and reliance on inspectors had all led to a disjointed system and demoralised staff, at a conference organised by the think tank, Reform.
Read more: NHS ‘chaotic and dysfunctional’ says head of NHS England
The Oral Health Foundation is calling on all health professionals to get behind National Smile Month 2019 so that more people can live happier and healthier lives. It is the world’s largest and longest-running campaign to promote better oral health and will be taking place between 13 May and 13 June. The campaign is aiming to reach 50 million people with positive oral health messages.
Dental models with the tactile qualities of real mouths will be used to train the next generation of dentists thanks to new research carried out in collaboration with the University of Birmingham. They will allow student dentists to experience and learn how it feels to use probes to check for periodontal disease and ‘meet an unmet need in dental education’.
Dental charges will rise from April 1 by 5%. Band 1 will rise to £22.70, from £21.60. Band 2 from £59.10 to £62.10. Band 3 course of treatment from £256.50 to £269.30. The BDA’s Chair of General Dental Practice Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen said: “Despite pledges of record NHS investment, our patients are being singled out to pay more, just so ministers can pay less.”
The Faculty of General Dental Practice has announced that it is extending membership to all BDS students. Dean of the Faculty, Ian Mills, said: “The FGDP(UK) is the professional home for general dental practice, and is well placed to offer relevant networking and mentoring to today’s dental students both now and through their future careers.”
Read more: FGDP(UK) extends free membership to all UK dental students