A total of 39.2 million courses of treatment (83.2 million UDAs) were delivered in England in 2017/18 by the NHS according to statistics published by NHS Digital. This was a fall of 1.8% compared with the previous year. 22 million adults (50.7%) and 6.9 million under 18s (58.6%) were seen by 24,306 dentists (84% under the GDS contract).
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NHS Digital reports that in 2016/17 there was a 0.7% decrease in taxable income of self-employed dentists in England and Wales, from £69,200 in 2015/16 to £68,700 continuing the downward trend since 2006/07. In Northern Ireland there was a 4.3% decrease from £69,400 to £66,400 in 2016/17. In Scotland there was a 0.1% increase from £67,700 to £67,800.
NHS Digital has reported on working hours, motivation and morale. They found that the more time dentists spend on NHS/Health Service work, the lower their levels of motivation. Low morale is related to increasing expenses and/or declining income and the risk of litigation and the cost of indemnity fees. Nearly two-thirds of Principal dentists and over half of all Associate dentists across the UK often think of leaving dentistry.
Read more: Report finds dentists work more hours, but have lower morale
The British Orthodontic Society is recommending the introduction of more robust editorial control by video platform YouTube in order that any footage demonstrating and promoting so-called “DIY braces” is removed. Those which encourage young people to try a DIY approach to teeth-straightening should be taken down from the platform as soon as possible.
The FGDP(UK) has endorsed new advice for dentists on the prophylactic use of antibiotics against infective endocarditis. Dr Nick Palmer, Editor of the FGDP’s Antimicrobial Prescribing For General Dental Practitioners said that the NICE recommendations have remained the same for 10 years, “antibiotic prophylaxis is not routinely required for invasive dental procedures”.
Read more: FGDP endorses latest advice on antibiotic prophylaxis
Professor Paul Coulthard has been appointed to the post of Dean for Dentistry and Director, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London. He said of the Institute: “(It) has an impressive history and strong reputation and provides a really exciting opportunity to build on existing achievements fostering excellence, innovation and a global reputation.”
Read more: Prof Paul Coulthard to be Dean for Dentistry at Queen Mary
The BDA has responded to workforce figures published by the Dental Schools Council (DSC), which show a marked decline in professorial roles and research. The DSC reports that the number of clinical academics employed at professorial level in UK dental schools has declined by 8.3% since 2015, which the BDA believes undermines the UK’s global reputation as a leader in dental innovation.
Shares of Dentsply Sirona Inc. have tumbled 18.7% to close at a 5½-year low, after the dental-products maker slashed its full-year outlook and announced a restructuring program when its two main clients cut their inventories by more than expected. The news overshadowed better-than-expected second-quarter profit and sales. “We are very disappointed in the results we provided today,” said Chief Executive Don Casey.
An acrimonious dispute has arisen between the BDA and the Benevolent Fund over proposed amendments to the latter’s rules, to be proposed at its AGM in September. BDA chair, Mick Armstrong, has described the changes as taking the Fund away from its democratic roots, isolating it from its major supporters and potentially damaging its ability to help those most in need of its support. But long-time Ben Fund Trustee and Treasurer, Bill Nichols, has described this as scaremongering and fake news.