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

Prime Minister says NHS will be a ‘better place’ for dental profession

Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims the latest investments will make the NHS a better place for the dental profession. Robert Goodwill MP confronted the PM during a recent Parliamentary debate on the future of NHS…

BDA Stops “Indefensible” Health Board Action

The British Dental Association has helped to stop Local Health Boards in Wales from financially penalising practices who had not hit targets. Swansea Bay University Health Board was attempting to introduce in-year clawback against practices who in the…

HMRC Announcement re Associates’ Tax Status

The employment status of dental associates has been discussed many times in recent years. Up until now, associates had always been covered by HMRC Guidance that stated, “It should be noted that there are standard…

Regulation

Records Have Been Deleted – GDC’s Response To FOI Internal Review Request

The ‘transparency’ of the General Dental Council has once again been called into question after the regulator revealed the results of an internal review into its response to a Freedom of Information Request. The original FOI request…

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

BDA’s ‘Freedom Day’ Plea To Sajid Javid

The British Dental Association has written to the new Secretary of State for Health asking for his commitment to developing “A clear roadmap to recovery.” In an open letter sent to Sajid Javid, signed by Chair Dr Eddie Crouch and Dr Shawn Charlwood, the BDA said “As we approach ‘Freedom Day’ our members continue to operate… Read more

Scotland’s CDO updates profession on infection control guidance

The chief dental officer (CDO) for Scotland has updated the profession on the future of infection and prevention control in dental practices. In a letter to practices, CDO Tom Ferris revealed that work is underway to examine how policy can change according to new developments, such as vaccinations. As it stands, all… Read more

NHS England require an extra £10bn in funding to avoid cuts to services

The BBC has reported that the NHS Confederation and NHS Providers have warned that if NHS England does not receive an extra £10bn in finding next year, services may have to be cut. Despite £140bn already planned to be spent, the groups representing the health service have raised concerns that… Read more

Welsh dentists calling for the relaxation of COVID rules

BDA Wales is calling for the relaxation of COVID rules to avoid patients unnecessarily losing teeth and allow more dental check-ups. Russell Gidney, chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, says delays will mean tooth decay, gum disease and cancers will go unspotted. He highlights strict hygiene measures and fallow time reducing… Read more

NHS Digital’s Report ‘Underlines The Collapse In NHS Access’

The release of the latest NHS Dental Statistics has shown that the number of course of treatment carried out in the General Dental Service in 2020-21, was down by 69% compared to the previous year. The NHS Digital report revealed that only 12 million courses of treatment were carried out in 2020-21.… Read more

Latest fall in dental earnings must serve as wake-up call to avoid collapse of Health Service dentistry

The British Dental Association (BDA) Northern Ireland has warned new data confirming the continued collapse in pay among Health Service (HS) dentists could jeopardise the recovery of the service as it emerges from the covid pandemic. Taxable income for all average self-employed dentists in Northern Ireland fell from £68,000 in 2018/19 to… Read more