A team of scientists from Japan are suggesting that an enzyme produced by mouth bacterium inhibits dental plaque. This finding could eventually lead to the development of toothpaste that harnesses the body’s own plaque fighting tools. The team have shown that the bacterium, a non biofilm forming and otherwise harmless inhabitant of the human mouth, […]

The British Dental Association (BDA) has urged the Department of Health not to abandon their plans for dentistry to be commissioned by a new national board. The call follows the House of Commons’ Health Select Committee’s suggestion that responsibility for commissioning should instead be moved to new NHS local commissioning authorities. John Milne, chair of […]

Health Minister Lord Howe has announced that from this summer dentists will be paid for the quality of treatment given rather than the number of treatments provided. 62 dental practices have been selected to trial this new dental contract that will help improve outcomes for patients. The trials are being carefully designed to improve the […]

New research presented at the 89th International Association for Dental Research suggests that gum disease carries a higher risk of causing a non fatal stroke than diabetes. In recent years there has been growing evidence of the link between gum disease and strokes. Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation said, […]

The British Dental Association has called for clarity on CQC fees. In a letter to the CQC, the BDA has said that it is unacceptable that dentists still do not know what fees are to be charged, even though the deadline for registration is just three weeks away.  The letter also highlights that fact that […]

Prescription fees and dental charges will increase from 1st April. Prescription fees will go up by 20p to £7.40 and dental charges will increase, with band 1 treatments going up to £17, band 2 treatments increasing to £47 and band 3 treatments increasing to £204. The announcement has been greeted with anger, just days after […]

Spring cleaning is not just for houses! Dental Health Experts advise that it is a great ethos to adopt when it comes to avoiding gum disease. Spring is a great time to tackle the hidden oral hygiene problems that could be undermining your body’s overall health. Health Experts recommend the below to spring cleaning our […]

A decision by the GDC to postpone a vote on whether dentists should be able to continue using their ‘Dr’ title so that an impact assessment can be carried out allows proper consideration of the issue, the BDA has said. The decision to take the recommendation back so that the impact of the issue can be […]

The British Dental Association has argued that dental practices should not have to pay to register with the CQC emphasising the financial pressures confronting dental practices, the failure of the CQC regime to add any value and the considerable time practices must inc=vest in becoming registered and concludes that a fee for registration would be […]

A leading dental practice is using acupuncture to calm nerves and relieve pain. Receiving acupuncture prior to dental treatments is the latest combined offering to be introduced by the practice pioneering in advances in dentistry. Recent studies in Sheffield and Denmark concluded that acupuncture has a ‘beneficial effect on the levels of unease in patients […]

The British Dental Practice Managers’ Association (BDPMA) is seeking to attract registered managers to become members. CQC registration requires managers of dental practices to have suitable experience and training. The BDPMA has negotiated discounts with many training providers with annual membership costing just £85. Membership is open to all members of dental teams as well […]

Plans to mark the first steps towards a significant NHS White Paper commitment to introduce a new dental contract that will improve the quality of patient care and increase access to NHS dental services, with an additional focus on improving the oral health of school children has been published by the Department of Health. The […]

Dentists are being urged to join a British Dental Association (BDA) campaign, calling on the Government to address concerns about the registration of dental practices with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The BDA is sending all members a postcard emphasising the increasing burden of red tape encircling practitioners and the effect it has on patient […]

The General Dental Council (GDC) has begun a review of its Standards Guidance and Scope of Practice. The aim of the review is to go back to square one. This will take place in 2011 and will include consultations, focus groups, a working group and GDC staff attending events across the UK, to hear directly […]

The General Dental Council (GDC) is calling on dentists to submit their annual or end of cycle continuing professional development (CPD) declarations by 28th January 2011. To remain registered to practice dentists must complete 250 hours every five years, of which 75 must be verifiable. Records need to be kept for five years after the […]