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There were smiles all round as the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) reached its ten-year milestone in dentistry training. The School of Dentistry has produced more than 220 new dentists since opening its doors a decade ago. Angela Magee, Head of the School of Dentistry, commented: “What we have achieved over the last ten years is phenomenal.”
Eddie Crouch, Vice Chair of the BDA’s PEC has written on their website about their evidence to the Review Body (DDRB). He said that the delegation that he led left the DDRB in no doubt that the viability of NHS dentistry is under threat ‘as we have never seen before’.
At a recent meeting in London, convened by Dr Jeremy Cooper of Salford, representatives from major dental organisations considered an idea to form a new charity to operate a helpline for dentists under stress. The service should be available 24/7, 365 days a year and to be there to listen, empathise and if necessary ‘signpost’ people to organisations to help them with their problems.
Access to NHS dentists was raised in Prime Ministers Questions recently. A similar point was raised during oral Health Questions and the minister replied at some length. He also outlined progress on child prevention schemes, along the lines of Scotland’s Childsmile and promised an update on new contract discussions in the near future.
Read more: Dental access raised at Prime Ministers Questions
A new report by the TaxPayers’ Alliance shows that the NHS could save nearly £800 million by merging various NHS management bodies. The proposed changes would also release top managerial time to improve efficiencies in the system and granting more independence to NHS England would free it from ‘meddling politicians’.
Read more: TaxPayers Alliance identifies £800 million NHS savings
Dental defence organisation MDDUS has recruited two new advisers in their London office. Stephen Henderson and Susan Willatt have joined the MDDUS dental advisory team, bringing a combined 36 years’ worth of experience as dento-legal advisers. MDDUS head of dental division Aubrey Craig said: “We are delighted to welcome Stephen and Susan to our team.”
A new YouGov survey commissioned by Dental Protection shows that 43% of the public believe there are now more marketing campaigns by ‘No Win No Fee’ firms compared to five years ago. Raj Rattan, Dental Director said: “Our data shows that a full time general dental practitioner can now expect to receive two clinical negligence claims over a typical career.”
The agenda for this year’s LDC conference, to be held in Belfast on 7-8 June, is being finalised. This year it is expected to debate around 60 motions, including contract reform. Joe Hendron, Chair of the 2018 LDCs Annual Conference, said: “Since we’re having our annual conference in Belfast, it seems fitting to look at the impact of devolution on dentistry.”
Read more: Devolution and dentistry to be debated at LDC Conference