Of all the statistics which regularly highlight the shocking failure of preventative oral health care in Britain, it’s the number of children and young people who are admitted to hospital each year for extractions under general anaesthetic. The figures eclipse all other childhood illnesses requiring hospital treatment.
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The distress of patients in pain trying to access NHS dentistry are a factor of daily life for most who work in the profession, with even fully private practices fielding calls from patients desperate to find a dentist in a hurry.
Read more: A&E Departments Are Bursting With Dental Emergencies
As the calendar approaches March 31st, many practices holding NHS contracts are struggling to hit their UDA targets. Practices bracing themselves for bad news have now received a hammer blow with the publication of details on the anticipated underspend, and how NHS England(NHSE) are likely to handle it.
The GDC and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), have a good deal in common, and enjoy similar levels of affection from the dental profession. Recent exchanges between Lib Dem MP, Daisy Cooper who is the party’s health spokesperson, and government minister Neil O’Brien demonstrated the symbiosis between the DHSC, and the GDC.
Read more: Nothing To See Here. Minister and GDC’s Double Act
The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers - ‘NASDAL’ - has published the findings of its latest Goodwill Survey which covers the quarter ending 31st October 2022 & includes data on valuations as well as deals completed (i.e., practices bought or sold by NASDAL members’ clients in the period).
Read more: Dental Market ‘Returning To Normality’, Says NASDAL Survey
In January 2023 there were just under 115,000 dentists and DCPs registered with the GDC. Registrants will be aware that they pay for the GDC’s staff, their salaries and pensions, as well as its premises in London’s Wimpole Street and Birmingham’s Colmore Square. Then there are the consultations and surveys that the GDC is so fond of. But that is not all.
A recent Freedom of Information request (FOI), from Leeds dentist Dominic O’Hooley has cast light on more of the GDCs spending habits. Amongst other questions he asked, “For the years 2013 to 2022 inclusive: The yearly cost to the GDC of using external legal firms?”
A little known charity, Beauty Banks, recently joined forces with the British Dental Association to investigate the consequences of the cost of living crisis (‘COLC’) on the ability of families to afford oral health products. Specifically, the survey studied the impact of the COLC on school aged students and their teachers.
Read more: Shock Report Reveals How Poverty Is Fuelling Oral Health Crisis In Our Schools
Neil O’Brien MP is one of the Government’s more prolific users of Twitter. He recently put up a picture of a policewoman with a caption proudly announcing the number of police officers that have recently been taken on. His response to a recent question from Chloe Smith who is an Assistant Whip for the government, may not have inspired much confidence about a similarly cheery posting about dentist numbers appearing anytime soon.
Read more: Health Minister Mixes Threat and Evasion on NHS Dental Access
Despite being approved for use in Japan since 1970, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) remains in a twilight zone in UK dentistry, particularly general practice. A new study from the USA and a recent World Health Organisation statement will add to the calls for more widespread use of SDF.
Read more: WHO & New USA Study Add Support For Silver Diamine Fluoride