It has been a busy time for the College of General Dentistry (CGDent), and for those in the profession asking themselves exactly what the college does, there is some important news.
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GDPUK readers will be familiar with the St Pauls Dental Practice in Bristol which after being closed by BUPA became a focus for community activism, and reopened to lengthy queues in 2024.
Read more: NHS Dental Reforms: Universal Urgent Care but Funding Unchanged?
There have been some remarkably mixed messages about the proposed Norwich Dental School, delivered virtually simultaneously.
In the aftermath of the NHS 10 year plan announcement, the BBC has reported that work on the first phase of a dental school in Norwich has already started, despite needing final approval from the government.
Read more: Work Starts on Norwich Dental School -- Amid Uncertainties
It has not taken long for organisations with an interest in UK dentistry, to venture their opinions on the NHS 10 year plan in respect of the promised transformation of NHS dental services.
A week is a long time in NHS dentistry, as well as in politics.
The ambitious NHS 10 year plan provided a vision of a service transformed beyond recognition. For dentistry many commentators both applauded its bold ambition whilst insisting that without rapid major changes to implement a new contract, it was unlikely to be achieved.
Read more: Consultation Announced on NHS Dental Contract Changes
It may be time to add ‘opsec‘ (Operational Security) to the list of dental abbreviations. A leading indemnifier has asked its members facing complaints not to disclose that they are contacting their defence organisation for guidance.
Read more: Indemnifier Counsels: Caution Telling Patient, Advice Sought
July 3rd 2025 saw the launch of the Government‘s 10 year NHS plan, “fit for the future”
The summary explains that this follows the Lord Darzi‘s investigation. The very first bullet point summarising its findings is, ‘many cannot get an NHS GP or dental appointment.‘
Read more: Three Year Tie In - Streeting's Plan for a Decade
GDPUK recently covered one influential figure‘s view of how NHS dentistry might look in the future. At about the same time the BDA has offered a somewhat more dentist centric vision.
As NHS England is wound down there is no shortage of other groups eager to be involved in shaping the service‘s future. One established voice is the NHS Confederation. This is a membership organisation that supports and speaks on behalf of the whole public healthcare system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read more: Competing Visions for the Future of NHS Dentistry