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Updates from week commencing 5 December 2022

Read all the updates that took place throughout this week.

Friday 9 December 2022

10:57


Wales: Social media toolkit


The way NHS services are accessed in Wales has changed over recent years. The NHS Wales 'Help Us Help You' campaign provides information for the public about the changes.


The campaign includes assets you can share across social media channels and your website to support patients in managing health and accessing services in a straightforward way.


Several of the videos are dentistry related, with the key messages including getting the right care the first time, improving health, and how to access advice from the workplace or home.




Thursday 8 December 2022

15:27


Northern Ireland: Department of Health moves to implement pay uplift


The Department of Health has confirmed it is now able to move ahead to implement the DDRB recommendation for 22/23. Dentists will receive an uplift of 4.5% backdated to April 22, 'by the end of the financial year'.




11:13


England: New inquiry offers chance to bring service back from the brink


A new parliamentary inquiry into the crisis in NHS dentistry has launched today which may represent a last hope to save the service. With access problems at an all-time high, and an exodus from the NHS dental workforce in motion, we stress real scrutiny is now essential to draw a line under the government's poverty of ambition on reform.

 

"People resorting to DIY dentistry" says Health and Social Care Committee Chair Steve Brine MP, "stories that should belong to another era. We're launching an inquiry to ask why dental treatment is so difficult to find and to establish what the government and NHS England must do to improve access and reduce such unnecessary pain and suffering." 


This inquiry is the first in a generation. We've been pushing hard for this and are already gathering the evidence. We will be reaching out for your views in the weeks ahead.


"This inquiry offers hope to millions of patients left with no options", says GDPC Chair Shawn Charlwood.  "To date, Ministers have simply tinkered at the margins. A failed, underfunded system demands real scrutiny and real reform."




10:08


Group A streptococcus


Due to the recent interest and increase in cases of Group A streptococcus (GAS), the UK Health Security Agency has produced a what you need to know blog detailing how it is being spread and what is being done. The most serious infections are caused by invasive Group A strep (iGAS). 


Infections are caused by bacteria getting into parts of the body where it wouldn't usually be found. Although iGAS infections are uncommon, there has been a small increase in cases this year.


Our Health and Science group is looking at guidance on the symptoms for clinicians, we will keep you informed of any updates.




Wednesday 7 December 2022

14:24


Root canal conditioner voluntary recall


Dentsply Sirona is conducting a medical device voluntary recall for a specific batch of Glyde Dose Pack, root canal conditioner due to an incorrect expiry date:


Part Number: A090500000000 

LOT Number: 1779021

EU UDI-DI: +J003A0905000000002


The expiry date reads May 2024 instead of January 2024 and the full performance of the product cannot be guaranteed after January 2024. If you have any of this product with the same LOT number, please segregate the products and return them to the dealer who originally sold the products to you and you will be reimbursed.




09:59


Scotland: Reformed SAS contract


Following a period of negotiations, a reformed contract is available for Speciality and Associate Specialist (SAS) dentists and doctors to transfer to where appropriate.


The reformed contract offers significant progression from the old 2008 version, while maintaining some of its better features.


We will continue to monitor progress as the new contracts are implemented and will keep you updated with any new information.




Tuesday 6 December 2022

17:29


Supporting you with advice


This year has been a difficult year in dentistry, our advice team has been talking to you and offering support with a wide range of issues.

 

Our team provide a range of advice on our website and are at the end of the phone for Extra and Expert members to support you through any difficulties you are facing in practice.

 

Practice owners who feel alone can reach out to our advisors for support and advice on what can be done. We are here to help members make good, informed business decisions through challenging times.

 


 

15:48


England: NHS contractual changes FAQs – on-demand webinar available


Our on-demand question and answer session provides further clarity on the recent short-term, marginal NHS contractual changes and the impact for you and your practice.


  • Understand what the marginal changes mean for you in real life clinical situations
  • Better understand direct access and how to improve outcomes for staffing and resource challenges
  • Find out more on plans for working toward further contract reform.         

Log in and watch: Webinars NHS contract FAQs Oct 2022




Monday 5 December 2022

16:03


Northern Ireland: The important role of NIC


The Northern Ireland Council of the British Dental Association (NIC) has three main roles: to receive reports from other committees; to take forward the issues that cut across different groups; and to lead UK Council.


In her latest blog, Roz McMullan, Chair of the NI Council, explores the role of the NIC: "We work on moving forward cross cutting issues impacting dentistry. We are currently working on ensuring a long-awaited dental workforce review, carried out on behalf of the Department of Health in 2016, is published."


The NIC works nimbly within a large and complex organisation to ensure that members needs are reflected, irrespective of location, diversity, or employment type.




10:04


England: Access to NHS Practitioner Health Mental Wellbeing App for primary care dental teams


Primary care dental teams are now able to access the NHS Practitioner Health Wellbeing App. Dentists and their teams can register for the app using the code PC2022 and will then be sent joining details.


The app is a personalised mental wellbeing tool, creating a wellbeing plan based on individual scores and customised content based on identified needs and direction to tools, resources, and routes to support.