Dental News Roundup
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- Published: Tuesday, 25 January 2022 07:52
- Written by Chris Tapper
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The British Dental Association has said “The practice is not the place to argue about vaccination.”
BDA News has said that now the Government has brought in mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for healthcare workers in England by April 1st, “Practices are reporting difficulties.”
The BDA said that while the overwhelming majority of dentists and dental teams are behind vaccination, a ‘proportion’ are against it, “Some decidedly so.”
The BDA is advising practices to have “Open and constructive discussions with staff” around the issue and has provided resources to help members, available on its website.
The BDA says “Mandatory vaccination for healthcare staff is now law in England. From 1 April 2022, staff without medical exemption will need to be vaccinated or the practice will be in breach of regulations and will face enforcement action.”
BDA News warned “Ultimately, you should not feel obliged to argue with staff on the rights or wrongs of a law which govern dental practice.”
“It is not your role to ensure staff give informed consent for a vaccination provided by another medical organisation.”
Fingernails And ‘Discrimination’
A dental nurse has lost a sex discrimination case against a South London dentist.
Sandra Lougheed, described as a ‘very experienced’ dental worker by the Mail Online, had refused to cut her fingernails when asked by her employer, Dr Malek Mohsen.
An employment tribunal heard that Ms Lougheed had insisted she would only allow a beautician to trim her long nails, the Mail reported.
The tribunal was told that her long fingernails needed a trim for health reasons, the Mail said.
“Her refusal led to a shouting match in the reception at the surgery where she worked and she stormed out, never to return.”
Ms Lougheed was then said to have sued for sex discrimination and constructive dismissal against Dr Mohsen, the principal dentist at Putney Dental Care.
But the employment tribunal found against the dental nurse, when it ruled that “She was being asked to cut her nails to protect patients not because she was a woman,” the Mail said.
“The panel heard both male and female staff were banned from wearing jewellery below the elbow and had to keep nails short and unvarnished.”
“During an infection check in July 2018 an inspector found a ’number of matters of concern’ including Ms Lougheed ’s fingernails being ’too long for undertaking clinical duties’, the tribunal was told.”
“Staff were then reminded that they had to keep them short by boss Dr Malek Mohsen.”
“The dental nurse ’promised’ she would cut them, a panel heard. But matters ’came to a head’ three months later, when they were still too long,” Mail Online reported.
Gum Health
A new study has identified the mechanism behind the link between obesity and periodontitis.
Published in the Journal of Dental Research, the study found that obesity can increase the risk of developing gum diseases by leading to an increased development myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC).
Dr Kyuhwan Kwack, an author of the study told the University of Buffalo News Centre "This research promotes the concept that MDSC expansion during obesity to become osteoclasts during periodontitis is tied to increased alveolar bone destruction. Taken together, this data supports the view that obesity raises the risk of periodontal bone loss," Times Now Digital reported.
Dental Technician’s Tragic Death
A dental technician who found his vital face-to-face therapy to help his mental health had been delayed by the pandemic, was found dead in his car, an inquest has heard.
Mathew Fleming, a father-of-two, was found passed away in his vehicle in a car park at the back of Creative Chrome Dental Laboratory in South Farm Road, Budley Salterton in Devon.
Devon Live reported this week that Exeter’s County Hall heard the business had been closed on September 1st, “But the 41-year-old had not disclosed that to his wife and left for work as usual in the morning.”
“It was only when he failed to return home that she became concerned for his welfare and he was discovered shortly afterwards by a family member.”
“At the time of his death, vital face-to-face therapy he was due to receive had been delayed because of the Covid pandemic,” Devon Live said.
In a statement, Mr Fleming’s wife Rachel said her husband enjoyed his work but found it difficult during lockdown when the business had to remain shut. The inquest heard that her husband had been previously referred to mental health services in 2019 and was managed with medication and support.
“However, by 2020 he had deteriorated again and just before lockdown he was due to begin counselling which was delayed due to the Covid pandemic,” Devon Live said.
In a statement, Mr Fleming’s mother-in-law Janet King said "Due to statutory Covid regulations, the suspension of his treatment had a huge impact on his mental health. I believe he would have been okay if he was able to keep to some form of normal routine because work helped him to cope."
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