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Updates from week commencing 20 February 2023

Read all the updates that took place throughout this week.

Friday 24 February 2023

16:02


Video: Monthly round-up


In our latest video CEO Martin Woodrow highlights the ways we've been supporting you throughout February.

You can read the full stories outlined in the video here:


We will keep you updated as we continue to push for progress on these areas and for meaningful, long-term contract reform.

 


 

13:33


England: Hospital dentists to join 72-hour walkout

Dentists working in hospitals employed under the junior contract will join medical colleagues in a 72-hour walkout from 13 March. 

The dentists will be withdrawing labour in 19 employing trusts. 100% of voters backed industrial action in 18 of the 19 areas. 

“This small but important group of dentists are working to the same contracts as medical colleagues” says Eddie Crouch. “And like them, are not worth a penny less than they were fifteen years ago. 

“Our members will down drills until the government comes back to the table with a serious offer.” 

Hospital dentists based in the following trusts are set for action:

  1. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  2. Countess Of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  3. Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  4. East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
  5. George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
  6. Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  7. Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrusT
  8. Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation TrusT
  9.  Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
  10. Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
  11. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
  12. Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
  13. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
  14. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  15. South Tyneside And Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
  16. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  17. Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  18. St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  19. Barts Health NHS Trust



11:38


Scotland: Risk posters for display at all practices


It is a requirement of all practices across Scotland that this poster is visible and readable for patients prior to any X-ray exposure.

 

The poster was distributed several years ago, and many have been moved or removed as surgeries redecorated.

 

In addition, this resource can be used instead of practitioners explaining the amount of radiation exposure that may occur prior to any dental radiograph to each individual patient.




Thursday 23 February 2023

10:49


Students: Supporting you with the challenges

There are many challenges that come with being a dentistry student today. Balancing a demanding degree alongside managing finances during a cost-of-living crisis and the finite amount of time spent in dental school can cause difficulties.

Adding to the stress is also the amount of career options now available to undergraduates, highlighted through podcasts, social media, and articles.

Don’t let what you see have a negative impact, it’s important to remember that graduation is just the beginning of your journey. Your Foundation or Vocational Training gives you the opportunity to work on your skills and discover your interests.




Wednesday 22 February 2023

12:34


Wales: WGDPC webinar as dentistry at a crossroads

The Welsh General Dental Practice Committee (WGDPC) will be hosting an open webinar to provide all dental practitioners in Wales a forum to review progress with the NHS General Dental Service (GDS) contract reform and to consider the options available ahead.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday 7 of March from 19:00 to 21:00 and participants are required to register prior to the event. The webinar, to be led by Russell Gidney, Chair of WGDPC, will host a series of short presentations from WGDPC members, interspersed with polls of the audience. Further topics of discussion covered will be:

  • The impact on practices and staff of working under the reform’s volumetrics
  • The pros and cons of working with the Units of Dental Activity (UDA) only option
  • The future of workforce planning and government policy on Skills Mix in the GDS
  • The conversion from NHS to private practice
  • An overview of recording patient NHS numbers in the GDS and introduction of the Wales National Workforce and Reporting System (WNWRS) in the forthcoming reform year 2023-24.
The meeting will close with Russell Gidney reflecting on the results of the instant polls and some key messages for the Welsh Government.




09:46


England: 3.5% pay rise deemed 'affordable'

 

The Department of Health and Social Care has finally arrived at a figure it deems "affordable" for doctors and dentists pay awards next year – a below-inflation rise of 3.5%.


"This service is haemorrhaging talent by the day, and with inflation soaring a miserly 3.5% pay rise will clearly take its toll" warns our Chair Eddie Crouch. "The government's blind pursuit of affordability risks undermining the pay review process and the very sustainability of NHS dentistry in this country."


Alongside our colleagues at the British Medical Association, we recently called for sweeping reform of the pay review process. Ministers have routinely interfered in the Review Body for Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) processes as a matter of course, imposing public sector pay freezes and pay caps, and arbitrarily defining NHS 'affordability' each year. 

 

We will continue to fight for a fair deal, as we approach giving evidence directly to the DDRB and to the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into dentistry. 




Tuesday 21 February 2023

13:32


England: Clawback set for record high

 

NHS dentistry in England is now set for record clawback this financial year, that will inevitably push some practices to the brink. 

 

Senior sources at NHS England have confirmed to the press that the service is heading for record 'underspends'. This doesn't reflect a lack of demand for care, but the reality of a recruitment crisis which is leaving practices unable to fulfil their contractual commitments.

 

We have set out advice for members struggling to hit targets. However, this is the inevitable result of a workforce crisis fuelled by a failed contract. We continue to lobby for urgent substantive reform of the NHS dental contract and in-year support to ensure practitioners and patients get a fairer deal.

 


 

11:23


Susie Sanderson OBE joins the BDA
 
We are pleased to be growing our indemnity support for members, recruiting Susie Sanderson to the dento-legal team.
 
Susie was a general dental practitioner for 36 years and a practice owner for most of that time. She is a past President of the BDA and chaired our executive board and the UK conference of LDCs. She is currently the Speaker of the General Assembly of the FDI World Dental Federation. 
 
Susie has a master’s degree in Medical Law (LLM) from Cardiff University and is a fellow of the Faculty of Forensic Law and Medicine. She worked for 9 years as a dento-legal adviser for one of the large mutual defence organisations and, although she developed a particular interest in assisting and supporting dentists who are challenged to provide evidence of professional development, she has all round experience in helping dental colleagues with complaints, regulatory, disciplinary, advice and claims cases. 
 


08:54


Northern Ireland: Celebrating 100 years with JIDA collaboration

The Journal of The Irish Dental Association (JIDA) is releasing several special features ahead of the centenary celebration of the BDA Northern Ireland Branch, and the Irish Dental Association (IDA). 
To honour the milestone each feature will reflect on the last 100 years of dentistry.

The February/March issue will feature content about our work from Tristen Kelso, Director of BDA Northern Ireland, as a replacement to the President’s message in all Northern Ireland issued copies. This edition focuses on our hopes and pledges for 2023 and the installation of Dr Philip McLorinan as NI Branch President.

We look forward to seeing the future editions of the JIDA and continuing to collaborate in celebration of such a huge milestone for both the BDA NI Branch, and the IDA.




Monday 20 February 2023

14:22


Event: Buying a dental practice
 
If you are considering buying your own practice in the near or medium-term future, you may want to join our event on Friday 3 March, offering you a comprehensive guide to buying a dental practice.

The event will take place at 64 Wimpole Street, London from 09:00 - 17:00 and will cover:

  • The financials of buying a practice and writing your business plan
  • The legal process of buying a practice
  • Understanding your obligations as an employer
  • The regulations and compliance issues involved in running a dental practice.  
Preparing yourself in advance can help to reduce the stress and strain placed on you during the practice purchase process. Register now to join our interactive workshop, providing you with the tools needed to successfully navigate practice ownership.



 

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