The thorny question of whether cancer patients should be given guaranteed access to NHS dental services that are, like prescriptions, free of patient charges, was considered by MPs in Westminster Hall in mid April.
No commentsRead more: Leadsom To Meet Dental Campaigner Following Westminster Debate
Reading any recent press release or announcement from the Government or NHS about healthcare, one can expect to see the reduction of inequalities being given as a key objective.
Two recent stories underline the disconnection between that frequently stated ambition, and actual outcomes in dentistry. In the same week that Secretary of State Victoria Atkins, claimed that dental access was now much better, residents of Newcastle and Darlington saw the reality of this supposedly improved NHS dental provision.
Read more: NHS Dentistry: From National Health Service to Whack-a-Mole
As medicine and dentistry move into the world of direct to consumer offerings, and increasingly reach their would be patients through social media, regulators and law enforcement are struggling to keep up.
Read more: Direct to Consumer Opportunities for Fake Dentists
The NHS dentistry access crisis and the accompanying awful headlines, have dogged the government and a succession of health ministers for a few years. But according to Victoria Atkins, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, things are now getting a lot better.
The Wild West days of dental internet reviews may be coming to an end. For some years dental teams have had minimal right of reply to reviews that were factually incorrect.
A Manchester cancer patient’s campaign for access to NHS dentistry ’without obstacles or charges’ is to be considered by MPs at Westminster Hall on Wednesday 17th April.
Read more: Patient’s Crusade For Cancer Patients Reaches Westminster
Reading the charge lists on the GDC hearings website, many dental care professionals may be forgiven for having a “there but for the grace.” moment. Previous items considered worthy of including on charge sheets have included, testing the 3 in 1 syringe on the patient’s bib, and having hair over one’s face.
After some months with a depleted Executive Team, the GDC have announced the appointment of their new Chief Executive and Registrar.
According to the GDC website, Tom Whiting has now been appointed, and, “will take up his position in the next three months.”
A seasoned campaigner for GDC transparency has submitted a series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the regulator on the subject of registrant suicides. Very recently he submitted a new FOI simply asking if the GDC ever intend to publish the results of their suicides ’research project.’ That project has been the eventual response to the ongoing demands to know how many registrants have taken their life during the GDC’s Fitness to Practice process.