The NHS Counter Fraud Authority (NHSCFA) has been launched, to replace NHS Protect. Its mission is “to lead the fight against fraud affecting the NHS and wider health service, and protect vital resources intended for patient care”. It claims controversially that fraud by dentists amounts to over £70million.
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The BDA has said enough is enough, and challenged the GDC to live within its means, and to set out when it will lower registration fee levels which remain the highest cost of any UK health regulator. In a response to a letter from GDC chair Bill Moyes, the BDA has demolished the regulator's arguments on maintaining exorbitant fees and excessive levels of financial reserves.
Read more: Enough is enough: BDA demolish case for ARF levels
An investigation into the oral health of captive orca whales has raised serious concerns about their teeth. Out of boredom and frustration, many of them turn to chewing on concrete and steel tank surfaces, causing wear and tear that leads to further problems. The research was published in Archives of Oral Biology and documented two types of teeth damage.
Many fines incorrectly imposed after dental treatment are because of mistakes over patients' addresses, says a health watchdog. The latest figures show 385,000 fines were issued in the last financial year - and dentists say tens of thousands of £100 fines have been wrongly applied. Healthwatch in Kirklees says problems with address records are a big factor.
Read more: Patient fines due to wrong addresses says Healthwatch
A new £500,000 Northern Dental Education Centre - NORDEC - based at Bradford College has been officially opening by Bradford South MP, Judith Cummins. NORDEC will provide training courses and apprenticeships for aspiring dental nurses, and in-work training for people already working in the sector.
Read more: Northern Dental Education Centre opened in Bradford
New research claims that one in four adults (24%) have undergone teeth whitening, with almost half (45%) using an illegal provider. Despite numerous reports detailing the side effects of illegal teeth whitening, the temptation to trust unqualified practitioners to create a gleaming white smile is still prevalent in the UK.
Read more: Over 8 million Brits admit using an illegal teeth whitener
Bright Light Leadership, a new organisation set up to support dentists and senior members of their teams to develop new leadership skills and provide a foundation for dynamically improving their business, have announced the launch of a new series of events. Speakers are Dr Roger Matthews and Stephen Gates, formerly of Denplan.
Britain could face a "post-antibiotic apocalypse," without swift action to cut needless use of such drugs, England’s chief medical officer has said. Later this month Dame Sally Davies will launch a national campaign urging patients not to demand antibiotics. The BDA has responded by calling on government to step in and help front line NHS staff deliver an effective response.
Read more: Britain could face "post-antibiotic apocalypse" warns CMO
Ministers have had to respond to two recent news stories, the BDA’s press release that half of dentists were considering leaving the NHS and the news that fines were being levied on patients who had wrongly claimed exemption from charges. The replies were aimed to be reassuring it would appear.