Working in private or mixed practice can be both financially and professionally rewarding. If you are considering converting your practice, our
private practice advice portal can support you through the process.
Our advice gives an insight into private and mixed practice, helping you navigate statutory obligations and understand the process. Some practices continue a portion of NHS work, aiming to find a balance between both systems that maximises the advantages of both.
If you are considering changing the balance of your work, our advice team are here to support you with one-to-one advice for Extra and Expert members throughout the UK. Call 020 7935 0875 or email
advice.enquiries@bda.org.
It’s vital to prioritise your wellbeing. Knowing what
resources are available to help reduce stress and where to
seek professional support can be an important first step. Being part of a collective can also play a big part in reducing feelings of isolation and the stress associated with it.
Thursday 30 March 2023
14:44
Northern Ireland: Updated IPC guidance
The Public Health Agency has advised that the
Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Covid-19 in Health and Care Settings Guidance published in May 2022 has been updated.
Significant areas applicable to dental care settings include:
- A return to the application of standard and transmission-based precautions when dealing with respiratory illnesses
- Hierarchy of Controls can be used to help implement effective controls and reduce spread of respiratory pathogens
- The recommendation for universal masking in all health and social care settings has been removed.
Further information about these changes is
available on our FAQs page.
12:32
Standing up for children's oral health
Last week's Oral Health Survey of 5 year olds showed years of progress in the fight against decay risk being undone, with inequalities set to widen.
We've worked with some of the leading voices in public health, including the Association of Directors of Public Health, and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, to make our position clear to government.
From restrictions on sugar to restoring access on the high street we need urgent action to turn the tables on a preventable disease.
11:19
Two-day business essentials training all practice owners need to know
A
two-day interactive workshop will be held on Friday 19 May and Friday 16 June from 09:00 to 17:00 at our Wimpole Street office.
The event provides 13 hours and 30 minutes of enhanced CPD on the commercial techniques that can be applied to a dental business to improve financial results and drive profitability.
The first day will focus on the know-how necessary to assess your current business position and provide a range of commercial techniques applicable to your business.
During the second day you will review the techniques used to improve your financial results, set out the next steps and develop a strategic plan unique to your practice.
Register today to attend and share this sign-up link with any dental practitioners you know.
10:06
England:
Changes to the way dentists who are not exempt from undertaking Foundation Training are assessed to join the Performers List
The way that dentists who are not exempt from undertaking Foundation Training (FT) are assessed to join the Performers List is changing significantly from 1 April 2023. From this date, all dental applications to join the NHS (England) (Dental) Performers List will be managed in accordance with the existing
NHS England Policy for Managing Applications to Join the England Performers Lists and no fee will be payable to NHS England by any applicant.
This replaces the current arrangement whereby the HEE Performers List Validation by Experience (PLVE) scheme provides the framework for assuring that applicants who are not exempt from undertaking FT have the knowledge and experience that is equivalent to that of a practitioner who has satisfactorily completed FT for the purposes of joining the Dental Performers List.
We understand that further information about the new process will be shared by NHS England shortly.
Wednesday 29 March 2023
15:12
Bupa mass closure the tip of the iceberg Today the press are leading with news of mass closures across the Bupa group. Estimates suggest as many as half a million patients could lose access to care, but these won’t be the last practices to close their doors.
This only underlines the evidence we’ve put to the Health Committee. An exodus is in motion and
real reform and fair funding are needed now.
The constituents of the Deputy PM and the Leader of the Opposition are among those hit. Both government and opposition need to set out concrete plans if this service is going to have a future.
14:48
Scotland: Updated IPC guidance
The
National Infection Prevention and Cross Infection Control Manual (NIPCM) has been placed on the
Scottish Dental website.
It is referred to as 'the source of guidance which should always be followed in General Dental Practice'. It includes guidance on physical distancing, respiratory symptom assessment questions, face masks, aerosol generating procedures, and respiratory COVID-19 testing.
To help members understand the current situation, we have provided more information under part 3 of our
Coronavirus: your FAQs section.
10:01
Scotland: New First Minister pressed to act on crisis in NHS dentistry
We've written to Humza Yousaf, following his swearing in as First Minister, calling for immediate action to ensure this beleaguered service has a future.
The leadership election has delayed the timetable to reform the broken system NHS dentists work to.
We will be campaigning to ensure a sustainable system is in place by October, when bridging payments cease.
09:13
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.
Tuesday 28 March 2023
17:02
Update on Bupa practices
We have had contact today from Bupa indicating that the provider has taken the decision to close, sell or merge a total of 85 dental practices across the UK, the majority of which are focused on providing NHS dentistry.
Bupa has indicated that the NHS contract model, increased operating costs, and the difficulty in recruiting staff to some practices, has contributed to this decision. This is a stark reminder of the difficulties facing providers of NHS dentistry across the UK.
Members impacted by Bupa practice closures or sales can get in touch with us for advice at
advice.enquiries@bda.org
12:58
BDJ: Managing tooth wear, rehabilitating dentition, and monitoring erosive tooth wear
The latest BDJ issue explores managing tooth wear, rehabilitating severely worn dentition, and monitoring erosive tooth wear.
Articles include:
09:41
England: 8.5% charge hike will hit millions on modest incomes
Yesterday the government confirmed an 8.5% increase in patient charges. It’s an inexcusable approach during a cost-of-living crisis, and won’t put an extra penny into a cash-strapped service.
We’re deeply concerned this marks a return to pre-COVID strategy of using patient charge increases to reduce government spending on NHS dentistry.
Government data shows 1 million patients missed out on care for reasons of cost in 2022, but is carrying on regardless. In our view this is a cold, calculated political choice, that will hit millions on modest incomes.
We’ve already reached out to MPs and the national press to set the record straight. We’re encouraging members to share these messages on
Twitter,
Facebook, or
Instagram, and to
download and display a poster in their practices.
Monday 27 March 2023
09:36
CPD: Mental health in the workplace
Mental health conditions within dental teams are common, especially during periods of increased stress. The stigma attached to mental health continues in many modern workplaces, and a lot of people are unaware of how to tackle it.
Our
Mental Health in the Workplace course provides 3 hours of verifiable CPD and sets out the practical ways to create a compassionate environment for dental teams to support each other's mental health.
By completing the course, you will be equipped to understand the impact of mental health in the workplace and recognise the need to tackle stigma. You will also be able to spot the warning signs that a colleague is struggling so that you can offer them support at an early stage.
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