Denplan managing director Steve Gates announced the sale by AXA of the Denplan business and brand to SimplyHealth. The letter can be seen by clicking here This news is being discussed [GDPUK members only] in the GDPUK forum following an announcement there by Denplan's Chief Dental Officer, Dr Roger Matthews

Dentaid is organising a 17-day dental mission to Uganda in June 2012. The fees of the trip will be £2500 (£1500 to cover individual expenses; applications should be made by 1^st February

For further details telephone Barbara Koffman on 07970 163 798 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Five dental professionals have been honoured by the Queen this morning

CBE: Professor Jimmy Steele, Dean, Newcastle Dental School.

OBE: Susie Sanderson, Chair BDA Executive Board

MBE: David Collington GDP Glasgow

MBE: Stephen Lambert-Humble Head of Dentistry, University of Kent

MBE: Angie McBain, British Association of Dental Nurses

Our congratulations to all of them

A Devon-based, ‘cosmetologist’ has been successfully prosecuted for offering tooth whitening treatment and ordered to pay a total of £1,872. Mr Carl Espano, of Torquay, pleaded guilty at West London Magistrates’ Court to practising dentistry when not registered with the GDC. He has been fined £1,000 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. He has also been ordered to pay full costs to the GDC of £857.

A Liverpool dental surgery has been warned to improve after inspectors found medication stored in a dirty fridge. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) told the practice in Aintree that it was not meeting “essential standards”. Inspectors visited the surgery after they had major concerns at the provider’s other dental practice in Congleton, Cheshire.

The handover of BDTA Presidents took place last month at its annual Midwinter Meeting. Edward Attenborough handed over to the incoming President for 2012-13, Simon Tucker. Simon is a partner and director at Medenta with responsibility for finance, marketing ‘and all matters IT’.

NHS and social care staff who have concerns about patient care can now access a new, free whistleblowing helpline from the 1 January, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said. The free whistleblowing helpline is funded by the Government and is part of the Government’s drive to tackle poor practice. This is in addition to the introduction of a contractual duty to raise concerns, which will be enshrined in the new NHS Constitution.