The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a consultation on the level of its Annual Retention Fee (ARF) in 2016, which they are proposing should remain the same as in 2015. Chief Executive Evlynne Gilvary said the GDC was committed to being ‘a transparent regulator’ which included setting out what is funded by the ARF. The consultation closes on November 3.
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The Chair of the Commons Health Committee, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, has written to Public Health England (PHE) asking them to release 'Evidence into Action' its review of the evidence on reducing sugar consumption. She said she was ‘deeply concerned’ that Jeremy Hunt did not ‘consider it appropriate’ to publish this document ahead of the Health Committee’s short inquiry into the subject.
Read more: Health Committee calls on PHE to publish evidence on sugar
The 8th International Orthodontic Congress, co-hosted by the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) and the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) was held this year in London. Professor Jonathan Sandler, Chairman of the organising committee told delegates at the opening ceremony: “This meeting brings together 6,200 colleagues from 90 countries around the world to celebrate all that is good about orthodontics.”
Read more: International Orthodontic Congress held in London
For the first time in the 20-year history of the World Federation of Orthodontists, a UK orthodontist has become its President. Allan Thom, a Past President of the British Orthodontic Society, took up the role on the last day of the 8th International Orthodontic Congress in London. His role as President continues until 2020 when he will hand over to his successor at the culmination of the 9th International Orthodontic Congress in Japan.
The distinctive roles within a dental team need to be overlooked if dentistry’s workforce is to successfully meet the oral health needs of a future population. That was the message from the new chief dental officer (CDO) for England, Sara Hurley, when she addressed delegates at the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) national conference in Birmingham.
Researchers in Italy say that the victims of Pompeii had perfect teeth right up to the moment when they were covered in and petrified by volcanic ash by Vesuvius in 79AD. Scientists speculate that the Pompeians’ teeth were perfected by their healthy diets (which consisted of a lot of fruits and vegetables) and the high levels of fluorine that exist around the volcano.
NHS England’s Guides for Commissioning Dental Specialities relate to the commissioning of NHS dental care in England. Designed primarily for NHS England commissioners; the Guides are intended to address the need for greater national level standardisation in NHS England’s commissioning of dental care as well as providing clarity and consistency around the dental services the NHS provides.
Read more: Guides for Commissioning Dental Specialities published
A Dental Protection survey of 497 members found that 97% experience challenging interactions with patients – half of those encountering it monthly and one in three on a weekly basis. Fifty-six per cent of respondents had experienced aggressive demands for treatment, 48% had received verbal abuse, and a further 39% experienced violent or aggressive behaviour.
Read more: Dentists report ‘aggressive demands’ for treatment
The UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors (COPDEND) has confirmed that that every eligible UK graduate has secured a dental foundation training (DFT) place for the second year running. The BDA’s Judith Husband described the result as ‘great news’. She said: “We were determined that last year would not be remembered as a one-off”.
Read more: All dental graduates gain foundation training places