Public Health England has issued a report on the carbon footprint of 17 of the most common dental procedures. The highest proportion of these emissions is caused by travel, followed by procurement, energy, nitrous oxide, waste and water. As a start the NHS is urging dentists to try to reduce the amount of travelling by patients and staff.
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A powerful group of MPs has castigated NHS England for the shambles it made of outsourcing its back-office function to private company, Capita. In a scathing report published by the Public Accounts Committee, the MPs condemned both NHS England and Capita for causing mayhem to health workers and potentially “put[ing] patients at risk of serious harm."
For seriously ill children, a simple toothbrush can be critical to health and well-being. This is the message being delivered to medical teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) by paediatric dental consultant Urshla Devalia. Her team are implementing a pioneering new programme called Mini Mouthcare Matters (Mini MCM).
Read more: Pioneering mouthcare programme being developed at childrens’ hospital
Plans to add fluoride to the water supply of more than 340,000 people in Hull and the East Riding to address some of the worst rates of tooth decay in the country “will not happen”, according to a councillor. But the BDA has slammed such misleading comments that could sound the death knell of fluoridation there.
Read more: Hull fluoridation bid attacked by local councillors
MDDUS dental adviser Stephen Henderson reminds DCPs to ensure they are aware of changes to the CPD cycle that focuses on quality of CPD rather than quantity. Under the new five-year enhanced continuing professional development (ECPD) cycle, DCPs will be required to complete a personal development plan and are required to submit their CPD statement for 2017 to the GDC by 28 August.
New ‘healthy’ Coco Pops are tasteless, say customers after Kellogg’s reduced the amount of sugar following government pressure. And despite the 40% reduction in sugar, disappointed consumers have noted the change has saved just one calorie per bowl. Kellogg’s are confident people will learn to love the new recipe.
Read more: Reduced sugar Coco Pops are ‘tasteless’ say customers
Bupa has announced the acquisition of nine new practices bringing the total number of sites acquired this year to fourteen. The means that Bupa has acquired 14 practices in the UK and Republic of Ireland so far in 2018. Catherine Barton, general manager for Bupa Dental Care, commented, “With steady forecast growth, we’re confident in the long-term success of the dental market.”
Dentists and economists earn the most money from their university degree, new data has suggested. Analysis from the Office for National Statistics says such professions can expect a median salary of between £37,900 and £47,300 within five years of leaving university.
The City Editor of The Times has reported that dental businesses fear a “catastrophe” if a tax investigation into thousands of their staff determine that dentists who claim to be self-employed are actually full-time employees, ‘potentially costing the industry millions in extra costs’. Dental accountant, Alan Suggett, told the paper that “What HMRC is doing is dangerous.”