Friday 15 October 2021
15:45
Nominate yourself for a committee seat
Only ten more days left to
nominate yourself for a place on
our Board, Councils or Committees. It will only take a few minutes to fill out the form and write a short piece about yourself (max 400 words). The deadline is noon on 25 October, so don’t delay!
The following seats are open on our Board:
- UK wide
- Northern Ireland
- Yorkshire and Humber
- South-West England
- Northern England
There are also Council seats for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The following Committees have open seats:
- Armed Forces
- Community/salaried dentistry
- Dental Public Health
- General Practice
- Hospital Dentistry
- University, Research and Academia.
14:28
Scotland: Concerns about return of fee-per-item system
We have today
written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to express our opposition to the proposed full return of the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) Item of Service system as the payment model for dental practices. Even before the pandemic, there was widespread acceptance that the SDR was not fit for purpose as a funding model for NHS dentistry. We have repeatedly urged the Scottish Government to develop an interim funding model to replace the current “emergency” COVID support payments that have been in place for the past 18 months.
Dentists have made it clear that there must be no return to the pre-COVID treadmill. Even with the introduction of revised guidance and an easing of restrictions, capacity will remain diminished due to a range of factors. So any move towards a return to normal may have negative consequences for NHS treatment, as many dentists will consider significantly reducing their NHS commitment (including deregistering NHS patients) or leaving NHS dentistry altogether.
14:10
Update on IPC guidance
The UK COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Cell has been seeking views from across the UK on an update to the COVID-19 specific IPC guidance for the coming winter season.
Two consultations on this subject closed last week which have the potential to be of real importance. There has also been a separate piece of work on revising the appendix specific to dental settings.
Our CEO Martin Woodrow outlines potential changes and the challenges ahead in his latest blog.
“If enacted, default IPC provisions will revert to something much more like the pre-pandemic approach. But the onus will be on the practice to triage patients and defer treatment for those with respiratory infection symptoms, or if that isn’t appropriate, to treat patients in line with the current enhanced IPC approach.”
11:14
Dental careers: Leaving UK clinical dentistry
What if the job you studied so hard for no longer feels right? To the point that you want out? Or what if personal circumstances mean that it just isn't feasible anymore. How easy is it to leave - and what opportunities are there for a dentist who doesn't want to practice dentistry - or dentistry in this country?
Our two guests shed a lot of light on this very complex situation.
“Sometimes we really overcomplicate things, whereas in reality if we just simplify it, all I really wanted was to not be in the career I chose when I was 17.”
Listen on
Apple podcasts,
Google podcasts,
Spotify or search “Chairside” on your chosen podcast platform.
09:45
Dental politics: Building something from nothing
In her recent blog, associate dentist and BDA Scottish Council member, Carly Fraser explains how representation at a local level can have a huge impact on you and your profession.
Her experience of getting involved in dental politics – where there had recently been no dental representation at all – is a great demonstration of the good it can do, for you as an individual and your community. Through opportunities for connection, education and community, Carly has been able to help give a voice to dentists in her area, while also learning a lot and meeting new people:
“The Aberdeen section and the North of Scotland branch had been inactive for quite some time before they were re-established by my predecessor. This meant that for a long time there was no representation for dentists in our area, and dentists here didn’t have the same access to resources that dentists in other areas of the UK enjoyed. I got involved to help out, and it’s since taught me so much about my area of dentistry, introduced me to a huge number of people and given me a keener understanding of the issues facing dentists in Scotland.”
Thursday 14 October 2021
17:09
England: NHS prototype practices
The Department of Health and Social Care has written today to prototype practices in England to tell them that the prototype regulations will not be extended beyond April 2022, and that all practices will return to underlying GDS or PDS contractual arrangements from that date.
The DHSC has indicated that, whilst important lessons have been learnt via the prototype process, the evaluation of the scheme has meant that it is not possible to roll out the approach more widely, with that evaluation notably suggesting a fall in the number of patients accessing care. The DHSC will publish the evaluation of the prototype programme later this year, describing the benefits and positive findings from the programme.
A reversion to standard contractual arrangements is likely to cause considerable distress for many prototype practices as they have adapted their business models and approach to providing patient care across the past decade. We are arguing for wider contractual change in NHS dentistry in England, but whatever the underlying arrangements come April 2022, the transition is likely to be hugely challenging for practices.
We will be making this point forcefully to NHS England and the DHSC and doing what we can to make sure that prototype practices are supported adequately through this process. We will also be in touch with you in the near future to seek your views.
14:15
Advice: Business continuity planning
Does your practice have business continuity plans? Business continuity planning involves preparing a contingency plan for situations that could seriously affect the long-term survival of your business. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us exactly why they're so important. Our advice will help you to:
- Identify events that could prevent your practice from opening or operating normally
- Develop a risk matric to assess the major threats to your practice
- Identify how to manage a crisis after an event to ensure a swift return to normal services
- Assess the effectiveness of your plan via testing and training
- Comply with your NHS requirements (if you hold a contract for services in England).
Members can log in to
access this advice today. If you're not yet a member, you can
join for this and many other benefits.
13:10
Northern Ireland: Timings for £500 COVID payment
The Health and Social Care Board have said that they are planning to
begin to roll out the COVID recognition payments to staff from 1 November, with 23 December a potential date for payment to contractors.
We have been pushing for this for some time, including our recent letter to the Minister calling for a definitive timescale to be established, and engagement with the Health committee. A defined process has been developed to support the payments to contractors – including a template, guidance and employee fact sheet. This process has been piloted with some contractors.
HSCB is asking that contractors submit their template on time and in line with the deadlines. Training will take place on 3 and 4 November, further detail to follow.
12:10
Upcoming deadline for ARF instalments
Dentists can now opt in to
pay their Annual Retention Fee (ARF) by instalments and spread the cost over the course of a year. But if you want to, you’ll need to let the GDC know before the renewal period opens on 31 October. To make the change:
- Login via
your eGDC account
and select the quarterly Direct Debit
- If you choose this option, the GDC will collect four quarterly payments of £170
- For those on a specialist list, the annual fee of £72 per speciality, will be collected in the first Direct Debit.
10:39
How and why to celebrate Black History Month
October is Black History Month and our partners at Health Assured have outlined
why your practice should celebrate it and how to get it right. This includes tips to help you become an anti-racist organisation, one of which encourages education and training.
This could include, signing up for our new
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training course. The perspectives and insight provided by this course may support you and your practice to be more consciously inclusive, considerate and respectful of diversity.
Wednesday 13 October 2021
14:05
England: Free flu jabs for NHS dental teams
NHS England has said that NHS dental teams will be eligible for the NHS flu programme this year. Chief Dental Officer, Sara Hurley, has encouraged all dentists to take up this new offer for their own safety and our patients.
This is welcome news, and not before time. We are pressing for this to be a permanent arrangement, not a one-off.
Who is eligible?
Staff employed by primary care contractors and involved in the frontline provision of primary care services, including non-clinical staff directly who have face-to-face contact with patients.
Who is not eligible?
Any non-clinical staff not directly involved with the provision of NHS services on a day-to-day basis or do not have face-to-face contact with patients are not eligible. Primary care contractors and their frontline staff who provide private services only are also not eligible. Staff who work in private practices can be offered flu vaccination paid for by their employer under their occupational health responsibilities.
12:58
Furlough scheme ends
The Government’s
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme has now ended. Claims for September must be submitted by tomorrow, 14 October 2021, and any amendments must be made by 28 October 2021.
See our guide to this scheme:
Practice owners: Advice on paying staff.
11:01
Wales: Join an open meeting of the WGDPC
Register now to sign up for the upcoming
open meeting of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee (WGDPC) on 4 November. It will include an update on ongoing work and challenges from Russell Gidney, Chair of the WGDPC. You’ll also hear about the experiences of how three practices have adapted their practices to work under the NHS recovery plans in Wales. Sign up for the chance to ask questions of the committee, raise challenges in your area and share ideas for recovery and reform.
10:06
NHS Pensions: Age discrimination redress
If your pension has been affected by age discrimination, NHS Pensions should reach out to you from February 2022 to remedy the situation. This will apply to you if you joined a public service pension scheme on or before 31 March 2012 and were still a member of the scheme on 1 April 2015.
Members who joined a public service pension scheme on or before 31 March 2012 and were still a member of the scheme on 1 April 2015 will be asked to choose their pension scheme benefits when they become payable. The legislation for the remedy is currently being prepared. Retired members and the beneficiaries of those members that are deceased will be the first to receive the information.
Further information is available on the
NHS Pensions website. If you have any questions, please contact the BDA Pensions Team on
advice.enquiries@bda.org or 020 7563 6897.
Tuesday 12 October 2021
14:30
Advice: NHS England third quarter contracts
Our advice team have outlined what you need to know about NHS England's third quarter contracts:
Members can access this advice by signing in and if you're not a member you can join today.
12:10
Honours and awards 2021 announced
Twenty individuals are being celebrated in the
latest round of the prestigious BDA Honours and Awards, for their outstanding achievements, their commitment to the BDA and their work for the dental profession. Recipients come from all sections of the profession, general practice, through to community and hospital dentistry, and across the four nations. We’re proud to honour these people and the work they have done.
Roz McMullan Chair of the BDA’s Honours and Awards Committee said: “Through these times of immense challenge and change, we are proud to be able to highlight the work of those who have gone above and beyond, making our profession better. We are proud to showcase those who have supported our causes, gone over and above for the profession, and/or given exemplary patient care.
11:01
Dental politics: Diverse representation matters
With the elections coming up and nominations now open for seats on our committees, Hannah Woolnough tells us why diversity is fundamental to the success of the BDA’s committees – and how you can nominate yourself for election.
“The best person to represent you won’t necessarily be a practice owner or someone with the most committee experience. We need the voices of dentists from a diverse range of backgrounds and situations. I’d like to see more dentists nominated who are balancing two kids and a part time job as an associate. Those people make up the bulk of our profession and their voices should be heard.”
09:32
Update on IPC guidance
The UK COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Cell has been seeking views from across the UK on an update to the COVID-19 specific IPC guidance for the coming winter season.
Two consultations on this subject closed last week which have the potential to be of real importance. There has also been a separate piece of work on revising the appendix specific to dental settings.
Our CEO Martin Woodrow outlines potential changes and the challenges ahead in his latest blog.
“If enacted, default IPC provisions will revert to something much more like the pre-pandemic approach. But the onus will be on the practice to triage patients and defer treatment for those with respiratory infection symptoms, or if that isn’t appropriate, to treat patients in line with the current enhanced IPC approach.”
Monday 11 October 2021
17:05
Nominations are now open!
Nominations are now open for places on our committees and board. We have vacancies across a whole range of our committees as well as on our board of directors.
This year, we have also created specific early career seats on several committees, including key contract negotiating committees in each of the four UK nations.
Everyone is welcome. Find out
which committees have open seats and
put yourself forward with a brief statement about yourself.
13:05
World Mental Health Day 2021
What are you doing to look after your mental health? Yesterday was World Mental Health Day, making this a good moment to find out more about the mental health support services available to you.
Find out where you could go if you had money, relationship or other personal problems. Find out what services and resources you could recommend to a colleague in need.
We outline what services are available in your area on
our Stress page. These include UK-wide services and specific resources for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
11:10
New DHSC panel on PPE
The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) is gathering feedback on the quality and quantity of PPE provided to meet service needs.
Staff from a variety of practice roles can join the DHSC's dental PPE engagement panel in order to share views on this topic.
The following roles are welcome to join the panel:
- dental practitioners
- dental nurses
- practice managers
- practice IPC leads
- those that order PPE
- other clinical practice staff.
The purpose of the panel is to provide end-user customers the opportunity to discuss their recent PPE provision experiences, in order to improve the service of the DHSC PPE cell. The panel meetings will take place for one hour on a monthly basis. For more information please email
NonAcutePPECustomerDemand@dhsc.gov.uk with your name and role.
09:40
England: Can I get a COVID-19 booster jab?
In England, both NHS and private sector health care workers are entitled to a COVID-19 booster jab. However, to be eligible you must have direct contact with people at higher risk from coronavirus (COVID-19), either in a clinical or non-clinical role. Administrative staff who do not have any direct contact with patients are not eligible.
Eligible staff are able to book their appointment
online through the National Booking Service or by ringing 119. When booking, you will need to self-declare you are a frontline health worker. Staff will only be vaccinated if official proof is presented on arrival and you will be told in advance what this might be.
