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Updates from week commencing 7 November 2022

Read all the updates that took place throughout this week.


Friday 11 November 2022

15:33


England: Hospital dental trainees indicative industrial action survey


The BMA negotiates both junior doctors and dentists' contracts on our behalf, using the feedback and views you share with us. On 1 October 2022, the BMA UK Junior Doctors Committee voted to proceed to a ballot for industrial action from 9 January 2023 in England only.


Our Central Committee for Hospital Dental Services (CCHDS) represents dental staff working in hospitals on dental and medical terms and conditions across the UK and this includes hospital-based dentists in training.

 

The Committee want to gauge your appetite for taking industrial action with an indicative survey for hospital dental trainees who are BDA members working in England. The link will be sent directly to your inbox so keep an eye out for an email from us.




Thursday 10 November 2022

10:23


Tell us what you think about BDJ Jobs

We would like to learn more about your experiences of job searching in 2022 to help us better understand how to support you with your career and recruitment needs.

The BDJ Jobs survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is open until the end of November. Please share the link with any colleagues who can also provide feedback.

Your responses will directly help BDJ Jobs update and improve the services that are provided to you.




Wednesday 9 November 2022

15:52


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




Tuesday 8 November 2022

17:23

 

Northern Ireland: DoH update on GDS issues

 

The Department of Health has issued GDPs with an update on a range of GDS related issues:


  • DDRB uplift: DoH has approved a 4.5% net uplift (including 4.5% applied to Expenses) but no clarity when this can be paid  
  • Prior Approval Limit: confirmation PAL has been placed into the SDR to enable annual uplifts to apply, plus an increase to the Prior Approval Limit to £380 to apply from February 23
  • Patient Registrations: details provided on the staggered re-introduction of x25 month patient registration intervals
  • Dentures: details of a 25% enhancement of denture fees to apply from Q4
  • Contract Reform: a commitment by DoH to, 'focus on engagement in the first instance, and short and longer-term reform actions and deliverables'.

 


 

16:13


Northern Ireland: Increase in late-stage cancer diagnosis


During the pandemic early dental referrals plummeted, causing an increase in late-stage diagnosis for head and neck cancers.


Newly collected data shows that late-stage tumours (T3/T4) increased from 33.76% of 470 cases in 2019 to 41.47% of 371 cases in 2020. Alongside this, the number of referrals in 2020 reduced by 22.1%, which points to the significant impact on head and neck cancer presentation. 


There must be a commitment to raise public awareness of risk factors, early signs of mouth cancer and the importance of regular dental check-ups for those at risk.




09:49


CQC's factual accuracy process

The CQC is consulting on changes to its factual accuracy process, which is an important part of practice inspections. When the CQC sends the draft report to practices, you have 10 working days to check the accuracy and completeness of the information it has used to reach its judgements and reply with any comments.

The CQC will review and respond to your observations and decide whether any changes are needed to your report before it is finalised, so it is important to provide timely feedback.

For a chance to comment on the new process, please complete the survey which will close on 30 November 2022.




Monday 7 November 2022

12:11


England: Clarity on IPC guidelines for aprons


The September update to the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England has caused some confusion around which procedures require wearing an apron.

 

Appendix 5a states that an apron should be worn when exposure to blood or body fluids, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is anticipated but no risk of splashing or spraying. This could be interpreted as meaning that aprons are required during routine examinations.

 

The Chief Dental Officer has clarified that this appendix refers to the risk of exposure to the healthcare workers uniform, rather than the healthcare worker. This would be unlikely during an examination, so aprons would not be expected to be worn routinely during such a procedure.




10:07


Free oral cancer toolkit

Our popular oral cancer toolkit, developed in partnership with Cancer Research UK helps you identify and refer possible cases of oral cancer.

The toolkit covers oral and oropharyngeal cancers including lip cancer. On completion you can also earn 3 hours of verifiable CPD.

Raise awareness of oral cancer throughout Mouth Cancer Action Month by furthering your knowledge on prevention and detection.