A shortage of dentists, a shortage of nurses and a shortage of hygienists is limiting dentistry’s return to pre-pandemic norms. The problem, it seems, is not limited to the UK’s woefully resourced profession. The American Dental Association is reporting similar frustrations, and there are no quick answers.
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When Eddie Crouch announced that he was “sensing a big press and media day regarding the problems facing Dentistry tomorrow” it seemed a little ambitious. After a day filled with political defections, plotting, and the PM told to go, not just by the opposition, but his own side, could teeth really get a look in?
With the publication of an updated VCOD, that is the vaccination as a condition of deployment letter by NHS England, the clock is now running down to the loss of even more dental team members. The deadlines to be vaccinated are February 3rd for the first dose, and April 1st for the second.
Once again questions about the lack of access to NHS dentistry are becoming a recurring feature in parliament. And now it seems that even the government and its supporters are blaming the UDA system.
After another rollercoaster year for the profession, the GDC has now published figures from the updated register including the number of registered dentists coming into 2022.
The British Dental Association has said that ‘Pioneering NHS dentists’ have been “Thrown under the bus” by the Government.
Read more: Prospect Of New Contract Unlikely As Dentists In Prototypes Are ‘Thrown Under The Bus’
The long-running TV programme ’The Apprentice’ last night tasked the teams to design an electric toothbrush aimed at children. Amy’s sub team turned Francesca’s vision of a plain orange children’s toothbrush into an out of this world design. Tasked with creating a toothbrush aimed at children, the boys come up with a magical idea.
Read more: BBC Apprentice Candidates Design Electric Brushes
Nearly 1,000 dentists left the NHS last year, revealed in response to a parliamentary question. The question was posed by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who represents the Kingston & Surbiton constituency which lost 91 NHS dentists.
Read more: Regional Press On Alert - 1000 Dentists Quit NHS in 2021
COVID-19 could pass into people’s lungs from saliva with the virus moving directly from mouth to bloodstream - particularly if individuals are suffering from gum disease, according to research published late last year.
Read more: Healthy gums could potentially reduce Covid-19 severity