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.

Plan for change: how is NHS dentistry being fixed?

The government’s plan for change promises an ‘NHS fit for the future’ – we explore how the plan will impact dentistry in the UK.

NHS dental access: latest statistics revealed

Only one fifth of patients who tried to get an NHS dental appointment in the last month were successful, a new government survey found. Around half of those surveyed (53.2%) used NHS dental services. A…

Registered dental therapists up by nearly 25% while technicians decline

The total number of dental professionals registered by the General Dental Council (GDC) has increased according to newly-released statistics. The regulator’s Registration Statistical Report for 2024 showed a total of 125,736 on the register at the end…

UK dental health crisis hits women hardest, says Women’s Institute

A lack of access to NHS dental care is hitting women hardest and deepening a uniquely gendered health crisis, claims a new report from the Women’s Institute (WI) – launched in Parliament on Wednesday 23…

Mental Health NHS COVID-19 Dental Health Practice Management Regulation Dental Profession Finance

Two third of dental professionals ‘burnt out and exhausted’

Nearly two thirds (63%) of dental professionals are frequently burnt out and exhausted, while one in five (18%) describe their wellbeing as ‘of concern’. In addition, half (50%) of dental professionals feel under pressure to take on extra work, and 48% feel disillusioned. Read more

Half of gen Z NHS staff made ill by stress at work

More than half of the gen Z cohort aged 21 to 30 had been made ill by work-related stress in the past year, analysis of NHS staff surveys found. Read more

Emotional exhaustion reported by 40% of dental administrators

A study exploring the health and wellbeing of dental practice managers and receptionists found that one in four (40.8%) were experiencing emotional exhaustion. Read more

World Mental Health Day: is the profession still suffering?

We take a closer look at data from the Dentistry Census 2024 on the topic of mental health for World Mental Health Day. Mental health problems are a growing concern within dentistry. With the sector struggling with issues ranging from patient litigation to the collapse of NHS services, it is… Read more

Mental health sufferers could lose sickness benefits

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could remove a disability benefit for some mental health sufferers in an effort to tackle the UK’s ‘sick note culture’. This comes as Sunak is set to announce a ‘benefits crackdown’ involving changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Read more

BDA: NHS Practitioner Health lives on, but needs a long term future

The British Dental Association has greeted the u-turn from Government on NHS Practitioner Health coverage for hospital dentists and doctors, but stressed that answers are needed on how news of the cancellation was sprung on the profession at the eleventh hour. Read more

Promoting collective wellbeing

Dental professionals face challenges that can impact their wellbeing, but help is at hand, says Ritesh Aggarwal. The recent Dentistry Show London once again brought to the fore the imperative need to focus on dental professionals’ wellbeing if dentistry in the UK is to follow a successful trajectory. Read more

Over half of dental professionals say mental wellbeing is worse now than during the Covid pandemic

More than half of dental professionals in the UK (57%) who took part in a survey say their mental health is worse now than it was during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more

Study informs guidance to support NHS staff after the suicide of a colleague

Researchers from the University of Surrey, University of Birmingham, and Keele University gathered evidence and data over the course of two years as part of a study which has informed a robust set of new evidence-based postvention guidance to support NHS staff after the death by a suicide of a… Read more

Free mental health webinar to mark World Suicide Prevention Day

Dental team members are invited to register now with Psynergy Mental Health to attend a free webinar this September. Marking World Suicide Prevention Day, the webinar will raise awareness of available help for those who find themselves in crisis. Read more

Work Affecting Mental Health Of Half The Female Population

Nuffield Health surveyed 8000 adults for its 2023 Healthier Nation Index and the results reveal a startling proportion of female employees battling with mental health issues with women more impacted than men. Read more

Fitness to practise investigations have ‘significant’ negative impact on mental health, says GDC report

A new GDC-commissioned report into fitness to practise investigations found they had a ‘significant negative impact’ on individuals – despite being ‘largely fair and effective’. The independent qualitative research, commissioned by the General Dental Council to understand and learn from the experiences of 70 individuals involved with fitness to practise,… Read more

Adult ADHD and dentistry – are we doing enough?

‘The more we understand ourselves, the more we can break down stigma’: In light of ADHD awareness month this October, Dr Fiez Mughal offers 10 facts about adult ADHD and dentistry. Read more

Michael Mosley and the ‘Science behind the smile’

On September 16, 2022, Michael Mosley shared his personal and family experiences of orthodontics and the science behind the benefits of smiling at The British Orthodontic Society’s annual conference in Birmingham. Read more

Confidental webinar will explore the mental health of the dental profession

Practice Plan Group is teaming up with Confidental. They’re looking to give people more information about the 24-hour confidential helpline set up by dentists, for dentists. In a webinar and podcast hosted by Practice Plan, Dr John Lewis, who is part of the Confidental team, will talk about the very… Read more

Increase in number of healthcare workers sleeping poorly during pandemic

A UK-based study has found that 36.6% of key workers in health and social care are reporting sleep problems since the pandemic. This is up from 19% before COVID-19. Key workers, mothers and those from minority ethnic backgrounds are most affected. Read more

One in two dentists say financial worries are affecting mental health

Fifty-three per cent of dentists say that financial worries are having the biggest impact on their mental health in the face of COVID-19. That’s according to a survey by Dental Protection which also showed that almost 40% have concerns about a shortage of PPE. Read more