Indemnity revisions
The General Dental Council (GDC) has published the outcome report for its consultation on updating the Guidance on Indemnity and Insurance, along with the revised guidance that will come into effect from February 12, 2024.
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Smoking decline stalling
A decades-long decline in smoking prevalence in England has nearly ground to a halt since the start of the pandemic, according to a new study led by University College London (UCL) researchers.
GDC announces changes to rule
The General Dental Council (GDC) has announced that changes to the rules for the registration of internationally qualified dental professionals will come into effect on March 9, 2024.
NHS recovery plan delays
The British Dental Association (BDA) has said Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, must deliver on his leadership election pledge to ‘restore’ NHS dentistry with the much-delayed recovery plan.
Quit in 2024!
The NHS is launching a brand new smokefree campaign to encourage all 5.3m smokers in England to make a quit attempt this January.
NHS dentistry report
A report from The Nuffield Trust has concluded that dentistry is at its most perilous point in its 75-year history, and radical action will be needed to prevent its further decline: either through further means testing, extensive reforms to dental contracts combined with a huge boost in staffing, or a large injection of funds.
Christmas oral health boxes
From donating Christmas boxes and oral health packs to hosting integrated healthcare pop-ups, Smile Together colleagues have pulled out all the stops to make a difference to those most in need across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. All whilst delivering their much-valued patient care.
2022/23 GDC performance
The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has published its report on the GDC’s performance for 2022/23, concluding that it met 16 of the 18 Standards of Good Regulation.
Interim Orders Committee
The General Dental Council (GDC) published updated guidance for the Interim Orders Committee, part of the independent Dental Professionals Hearings Service, in December 2023.
Honorary president
At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) on November 24, 2023 at 55 Broadway, London and via Zoom, Joan Hatchard became honorary president.
Committee members
The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) has welcomed two new members to its Executive Committee.
A smokefree start in life
A coalition of baby charities has backed the prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to increase the age of sale for tobacco by one year, every year, from 2027. They estimate this could help reduce the number of women smoking during pregnancy by around 10,000 a year by 2033 and create a ‘smokefree generation’.
Clarity on reform timeframes
Dental Protection says it is disappointing that the government’s update on its reform programme for the healthcare professions does not include a more specific timetable for improving dental regulation.
Taxing alcohol and sugar
The World Health Organization (WHO) released new data on December 5, 2023, that showed a low global rate of taxes being applied to unhealthy products such as alcohol and sugary sweetened beverages (SSBs). The findings highlight that the majority of countries are not using taxes to incentivize healthier behaviours. To help support countries WHO is also releasing a technical manual on alcohol tax policy and administration.
Mental wellbeing survey
In a Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 dental professionals in the UK, three in ten (30 per cent) say they have seen or experienced more disrespectful behaviour from colleagues recently than during the pandemic, with over a third (35 per cent) seeing or experiencing this in the last twelve months.
