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.

COVID-19

COVID-19: Mouthwash can kill coronavirus within 30 seconds, study finds

Oral rinses containing 0.07% of the ingredient cetylpyridinium chloride show “promising signs” of reducing COVID-19.

Coronavirus: Dentists warn millions of treatments have been missed

Dentists have provided around 19m fewer treatments in England since March this year compared to the same period last year, figures show. British Dental Association (BDA) analysis, seen by the BBC, shows practices operating at…

Dental profession calls for permanent VAT exemption on PPE

Dentists are calling for a permanent VAT exemption on personal protective equipment (PPE) to help healthcare settings fight COVID-19.

CDO Letter – Full range of NHS dental treatments from 1st November

In a letter released 12th October, Tom Ferris CDO Scotland announced that, as of Sunday 1st November dental contractors will be able to provide a full range of dental treatments to NHS patients. This announcement follows the recent publication of the Scottish Dental Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP) ‘Review of Aerosol Generating… Read more

Dentists’ leaders warn of ‘private only’ system

DENTISTS’ leaders have warned that Scotland could end up with a private only system of care with poorer patients resigned to ‘missing teeth and dentures’ if current Covid restrictions are not lifted and practices do not receive additional support. Professor Phil Taylor, Dean-Elect of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)’s… Read more

NHS England: clarification fact sheet on dental contract

The clarification, issued by NHS England and NHS Improvement, covers abatement reconciliation, patient care activity, other contracts, eg orthodontic, domiciliary, and staffing assurance. It answers many of the questions raised by GDPs, although the language can be technical. Read more

Hospital and community dentists to receive pay rise for ‘vital’ COVID-19 work

The pay rise will be backdated to 1st April 2020 and is in recognition of their 'vital contribution' during COVID-19. The pay rise was welcomed by the BDA, but they also said that more needs to be done to sustain the ‘long term integrity of the service’. Read more

NHS England confirms abatement figure and sets out contract issues

NHS England and the CDO England have set out key NHS contractual issues caused by COVID-19, during lockdown and those that apply since 8 June. The letter confirms that abatement of 16.75% will be applied to the majority of contracts from 1 April until 8 June. Read more

Dental charity calls on government to freeze NHS patient charges

The Oral Health Foundation has urged Matt Hancock to temporarily freeze NHS patient charges in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter, issued in early July, says a freeze could help thousands of people combat dental disease and prevent deterioration of health. Read more

Government pledges to hold postponed inquiry into dentistry

The Government has pledged to hold a planned inquiry into dentistry that was postponed due to last year’s General Election. Jeremy Hunt, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, will hold the inquiry looking into issues surrounding the profession. Read more

More than half of Scottish practices feel vulnerable

Fifty-one per cent of practices don’t believe they'd be financially viable with the current funding model going into the next ‘return to work’ phase. The survey by the Scottish Dental Practice Owners’ Group also found that 57% would consider remaining closed after COVID-19. Read more