It might be an exercise in kicking a can down the road, but the parliamentary inquiry into dental care at least showed that the government had recognised that it needed to be seen doing something about the access crisis.
1 commentsRead more: Parliamentary Dental Inquiry Off To A Troubled Start
In a remarkable statement the BDA have demanded that allegations of irregular procedures in the funding of a scheme that the Chief Dental Officer for England, Sara Hurley is involved with, are and investigated. The allegations relate to the CDO’s complex involvement in the setting up and running, including her directorships, of the University of Suffolk’s dental project. These irregularities would appear to include both funding and appointments.
In a combative performancethat missed no opportunities to make political jibes at his opponents, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered many widely leaked initiatives which the government hopes will address ’investment incentives’ and ’labour supply’ issues that beset the economy and it would be churlish not to acknowledge that the dental profession stands to benefit from several of Hunt’s measures.
The pressure group Toothless In England (TIE) has been angered by the news that it will not be called to submit oral evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee’s Inquiry into NHS dental access and reform.
Read more: Toothless Are Speechless Following Health Committee Snub
The British Fluoridation Society (BFS) has launched an essay competition to champion water fluoridation. Aimed at the next generation of health professionals it is intended to make the case for more nationwide community water fluoridation.
Read more: British Fluoridation Society Launches Essay Competition
Set against a background of inflation figures that are running at a forty year high and an economy that is hovering on the edge of recession, Wednesday’s Budget Statement will be watched especially keenly by business owners and workers across the country.
Read more: Profession And Country Braced For Wednesday’s Budget
The GDC’s problems with Fitness to Practice (FtP) are well known. With serious shortcomings recognised for some years by registrants, indemnifiers and even its own regulator, the Council has set out to try and improve its image.
A great website, lovingly curated social media, and aspirational branding, have all become familiar tools in raising awareness of practices and individual dentists. But alongside Dr Mike Foley’s efforts to raise his profile, many look positively dull.
Connoisseurs of evasive answers will have noticed that the government, NHS, and GDC, all like to respond to enquiries about NHS dentistry by counting heads. This conveniently avoids the more relevant question of how much time each registrant devotes to NHS care.
Read more: Exodus Continues: Half of English Dentists Cut NHS Commitment