As such a small community, the Northern Ireland CDS Division can feel quite isolated. We are delighted to bring back face-to-face events and provide Community Dentists the space to connect and network with colleagues.
Being a BDA member is a great opportunity, it provides access to an extensive range of expert advice and support every step of your professional journey. If you are interested in joining,
find out more on our website or call us to join over the phone.
09:28
England: Hundreds of dentists doing only one NHS check-up a year
New research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats shows 'dental deserts' are on the rise, but we have warned the true scale of the exodus from the NHS is going untracked in official figures.
65 of 104 local areas in England have seen the number of people per dentist rise since 2019, prompting calls for a rescue plan.
But this crisis goes far deeper. The government makes no attempt to measure the amount of NHS work dentists do. We secured figures on contract delivery for every NHS performer in England, and hundreds of dentists are now delivering a single Unit of Dental Activity per year - the equivalent of a solitary NHS check-up. And the proportion of colleagues doing higher volumes of NHS work has crashed from levels seen pre COVID.
"The Prime Minister keeps boasting of 500 'new' dentists in the NHS" warns Eddie Crouch. The reality is we have hundreds doing a single check-up a year."
The Health and Social Care Committee will hear from the Department of Health and NHS England shortly. We need a reality check from government, together with honesty, ambition and investment.
Tuesday 18 April 2023
11:50
Dental students: Take part in our new research
We’re looking for dental students due to complete their course at the end of the current academic year and planning to continue with clinical dentistry after finishing their studies, to take part in a
new research project.
This project will help improve our understanding of clinical experience among dental students in the UK and aid our policy and campaign activity to help ease the transition from dental school to clinical practice, enabling students to have the best start in their careers.
Participants will be invited to take part in three one-to-one interviews (via Teams or Zoom) over the next year, with pre-discussion surveys sent out ahead of each interview. You’ll receive a total of £90 in gift vouchers if you complete all three interviews.
For more information on the project or to register your interest, please
contact Ella Buckland.
Monday 17 April 2023
16:42
Northern Ireland: Expressions of interest for Oral Surgery pilot
The Strategic Planning and Performance Group (SPPG) has called for
expressions of interest regarding participation in a three-year Oral Surgery PDS Pilot Scheme.
The closing date for submissions is Friday 28 April 2023. Applications that meet the criteria will be accepted after this date but participation in the pilot will be subject to the availability of remaining funding.
To express an interest or if you have any queries regarding current pilot rates, please contact Diane McKillen at
diane.mckillen@hscni.net or on 02895362608.
09:21
International Stress Awareness Month and Health Assured Stress Awareness Month is an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness about stress and the serious impact it can have on physical and emotional health.
The workplace can be a highly stress inducing environment and dentists have faced an increasing amount of stress over the past couple of years. Symptoms of stress can accumulate and affect every aspect of life, both personal and professional.
There are common symptoms associated with stress, such as anxiety, reduced concentration, mood swings, and increased reliance on alcohol or substances.
Health Assured, which provides members a comprehensive support service, has produced a guide to
help you understand how to recognise and reduce stress in the workplace.