NHS England has announced the appointment of Sara Hurley BDS MFGDP(UK) MSc MA as Chief Dental Officer. She joins NHS England from the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine where she has worked hand in hand with the NHS. Concurrent with her Royal Centre for Defence Medicine responsibilities, Sara has been the Chief Dental Officer for the Army.
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The BDA says it is disappointed that none of the three major Westminster parties mention dentistry in their manifestos. Despite the long-awaited reformed NHS dental contract, and an ongoing discussion on public health by all parties, no explicit reference to dentistry or dentists has been made, the BDA reports.
An onsite touring practice will visit up large, single and multi-tenant business parks where they are based throughout the UK - with the potential to treat 81,700 employees. The upcoming mobile dental tour of the UK will offer free dental examinations, dental cleanings, as well as general health screenings for systemic issues relating to dental health such as oral cancer. The Onsite tour is being supported by the Dental Health Foundation.
A Dental Protection survey of 140 members who have been investigated by the General Dental Council (GDC) reveals that 94% felt it had an impact on their stress and anxiety and 33% had considered leaving the profession because of the experience. The survey also showed that 76% believe the investigation impacted on their personal life and 71% felt it affected their health and wellbeing.
A High Court judge, Mr Justice Weir, has quashed a decision against Professor Philip Lamey of Belfast to erase his name from the dental register and imposed a six-month suspension. The new terms imposed were reached on agreement with the parties following a hearing at the end of March.
The General Dental Council (GDC) and Cardiff University have identified a technical issue with the award of the BDS qualification and the registration with the GDC of Cardiff students who graduated between 2010 and 2014. They have assured those involved that their registration remains (and will remain) in place while the error is rectified and that all graduates are able to practise dentistry lawfully.
A new Cochrane review by researchers at the University of Manchester found low-quality evidence that fluoride toothpaste containing the natural sweetener xylitol prevents tooth decay. Lead author Philip Riley said: "The evidence we identified did not allow us to make any robust conclusions about the effects of xylitol, and we were unable to prove any benefit in the natural sweetener for preventing tooth decay."
Read more: Doubts raised over efficacy of xylitol in prevention
Two NHS workers from East Lothian Scotland have each been jailed for nine months after they admitted stealing dental equipment worth £75,000. Darren Lawson took the items from storerooms at NHS Lothian and Gianni Donofrio sold them on eBay. The thefts came to light when a dentist, who had bought some of the equipment, contacted the manufacturers to ask if it was covered by warranty.
Peter Crooks has been re-elected unopposed as Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee. He said: “This is a crucial time for dentistry in Northern Ireland with practices under significant financial pressures and ever increasing regulatory burdens. As a committee we will continue to push for better resources and provide strong leadership to meet the challenges that face the profession.”
Read more: Peter Crooks re-elected to chair Northern Ireland DPC