The CQC has updated its advice to dental practices, encouraging dentists to take note of CDO’s advice. Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, misdirects dental patients to their GP. Cardiff University research suggests that mouthwash could inactivate coronavirus.
No commentsRead more: COVID-19: Update: CQC advice, Minister’s mistake, Mouthwash research
The Faculty of General Dental Practice has announced that Tashfeen Kholasi has been elected to FGDP Board. She was elected to represent the Faculty’s North East and North West Thames membership divisions for a three year term of office succeeding the late Nik Pandya. She is pictured at the recent Faculty awards dinner.
The Chief Executive of the Irish Dental Association has called for "clear direction" from the Government, the National Public Health Emergency Team and the Dental Council of Ireland on how dentists can resume their work. He said the State has not, to date, offered help to dentists in sourcing PPE.
Read more: Irish dentists awaiting 'clear direction' over safeguards
National dental organisations have joined forces to agree guidance for UK general dental practices on returning to work as the coronavirus pandemic eases. The group aims to support and enable a return to practice as soon as it is safe to do so, focussing on key areas to address, identifying or developing practical solutions, and feeding into national planning.
Read more: National dental organisations join forces to agree return-to-work guidance
NHS unions, including the BDA, have issued a blueprint for safe opening of healthcare. They are calling on the UK governments and employers to work with us to deliver our new nine-point blueprint for a safe return to work for NHS staff. BDA meets Health Minister to discuss return to work.
Read more: COVID-19: Update: A blueprint for safe opening of healthcare
Dental Protection has called on the Welsh Government to look again at its offer to provide dentists with 80% of their NHS annual contract value (ACV), following concerns that the offer will be insufficient for many. Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection said: “The Covid-19 crisis has caused significant worry and concern for dentists in Wales”.
Read more: Covid-19: Dental Protection urges Welsh Government to look again at support offer
The BDA says it is taking urgent legal advice in respect to insurers not paying insurance claims made by dentists in regard to business interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have instructed law firm Brown Rudnick LLP to examine insurance policies affecting dental practices.
Nothing has changed in relation to the guidance offered by the various UK administrations on the provision of dentistry. Although it might appear that new regulations permit the reopening of dental practices in England, this is not the case, says the BDA. Additionally, ‘Dentists must not be pressured into overprescribing antibiotics,’ says Susie Sanderson.
The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced. Furloughed workers across UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500. New ‘flexibility’ will be introduced from August to get employees back to work and boost the economy, he said.