The charity, during its training programme in Shinyanga region, has reached a milestone. They trained our 300th Health Worker and subsequently created access to emergency dental care for over 3 million people in East Africa. Funds continue to come in for their urgent appeal; they have raised £42,000, close to their target of £50,000.
No comments
Dentists across England and Wales are being invited to influence the agenda for debate at the 2014 Annual Conference of Local Dental Committees (LDCs). Dr Tony Jacobs, the Chair of this year’s Conference, said: “I urge practitioners to take this opportunity to help shape the debate that will, in turn, help shape their future.”
Read more: Dentists invited to influence 2014 LDC Conference agenda
For the first time in eight years, the profit level of the average private dental practice is almost the same as the average NHS dental practice, based on the latest benchmarking statistics from the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL). The average net profit in 2012/13 for a principal of a private practice was £124,086 compared to £125,958 for a principal of an NHS practice.
Dental students at Aberdeen dental school risk failing their final year due to a shortage of patients on whom to practise. The school has twice written to local dentists appealing for them to refer patients to alleviate a potential training crisis. A lack of volunteers is reported to be putting students' degrees at risk.
Dr Mick Armstrong has been elected to serve as new Chair of the British Dental Association’s (BDA’s) Principal Executive Committee (PEC). Dr Armstrong said: “I look forward to leading the profession as it attempts to navigate the minefield of complexity it is confronting.”
From April 1 patient charges for NHS dental treatment in England will rise. Charges for Band 1 treatment will go up by 50p, from £18 to £18.50. The charge for Band 2 treatments will rise by £1.50 from £49 to £50.50. For Band 3 treatments the charge will rise by £5 from £214 to £219.
These charges are collected by dentists but form a tax on having dental treatment.
The Daily Mirror has published a story about beautician Caroline Sumpter who paid Megawhite Express Teeth Whitening £1,500 only to be told by the General Dental Council that the practice is illegal. She paid the money for a package that included everything to get her started in her new business, including a licence to use the Megawhite name.
The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced that thousands of dentists have completed their CPD cycles and paid their Annual Retention Fee. The GDC will now chase up the remaining 344 dentists who did not complete their 2009-13 CPD cycle. In addition 39,105 dentists have successfully renewed their annual registration.
The DDRB recommended at 2.5% rise in gross fees for general dental services, but in a written Ministerial Statement, released on 13th March 2014, Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, said:
in respect of General Dental Practitioners (GDPs), we accept its recommendation for an increase of 1% to general dental practitioners’ income after allowing for movement in their expenses, but abate the increase in the general dental service contract for GDP staff costs from the recommended 2.5% to 1%. This results in an overall uplift of 1.6% to be applied to gross earnings for independent dental contractors for 2014-15.
Dental leaders see this as a cut when considered in real terms, read more for quotes.