News feed - Practice Plan

All the latest dentistry news, all in one place.

Our dental news feed will be regularly updated to help you stay informed and keep up-to-date with everything that's happening in the industry.

NHS

‘Absolutely shocking’ – patients travel more than 50 miles to access NHS dentistry

Patients report travelling more than 50 miles to access NHS dentistry, sparking fears that the profession is being plunged into crisis even further. Following the closure of an NHS dental practice in Scarborough, Yorkshire, patients…

Toothache? Try Twitter!

Patients are turning to Twitter and Facebook in the search for antibiotics to cure toothache. A study carried out by Dr Wendy Thompson and Dr Rachel Emmott at The University of Manchester, found patients also seek antibiotics in order to avoid dental treatment or…

Majority of UK dental nurses earn less than £20k per year

Almost 65% of dental nurses are paid between £10,000 and £20,000 a year, a new survey has revealed. According to fresh figures from the British Association of Dental Nursing (BADN), 29% of dental nurses earn between £10,000…

High levels of dental plaque increase risk of severe COVID-19 infection

Individuals suffering from gum disease are at increased risk of COVID-19 reaching the lungs. This is according to new research carried out at the University of Birmingham. The research team suggest that the accumulation of…

Contract Reform COVID-19 Finance Mental Health NHS Practice Management Regulation

NHS dental teams in Wales to receive bonus payment

The Welsh government has confirmed that NHS dental teams will receive a bonus payment in response to the pandemic. Vaughan Gething, Minister for Health and Social Services, said the recent plans to award bonus payments to NHS workers in Wales will extend to dental services. This follows a letter put… Read more

NHS Dental Charges ‘Scrapped’ If SNP Wins Election

NHS dental charges will be removed North of the border if the SNP wins the Scottish Parliament election in May. The Scottish National Party has pledged to abolish NHS dentistry charges if re-elected, in its 75-page manifesto entitled ‘Scotland’s Future.’ The SNP has also pledged to protect free prescriptions and to increase frontline NHS… Read more

COVID Has Led To Bruxism ‘Pandemic’

Dentists worldwide are reporting a surge in tooth grinding caused by pandemic stress. Practitioners from the UK and many other countries have been noticing a substantial increase in the numbers of cracked teeth caused by bruxing since COVID-19 was identified and lockdowns were imposed. The Irish Dental Association said this week “While… Read more

DDU backs report calling for urgent need to reform healthcare regulators

The Dental Defence Union (DDU) has welcomed the findings of a review into the way healthcare regulators such as the GDC have responded to the Covid-19 pandemic. Today’s publication of the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care’s (PSA) Learning from Covid-19 review found a number of reforms have taken place… Read more

Tony Kilcoyne discusses significant concerns at the BDA after resigning for a second time

After resigning twice from the BDA PEC board, Tony Kilcoyne says significant concerns remain. What has happened to cause you to resign for a second time from the BDA PEC board? Tony Kilcoyne: Since being re-elected by BDA members on the 27 November, after my election statement transparently declared my significant concerns… Read more

Half of all smokers are stress smoking more since COVID-19

Almost one third of smokers are smoking more since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new research shows. And 65% of Britain’s smokers report concerns that they are more at risk of the virus as a result of their habit. According to research from Mintel, more than half (51%) of… Read more