Latest Blog Posts

• Scotland: Facing the challenges in dentistry together

  ​I began my role as Director of BDA Scotland a few weeks ago and I have been considering the current challenges and opportunities facing dentistry in Scotland.

  Blog Date 17 November, 2022

• A different type of associate and practice owner relationship

  What worker status might mean for you.

  Blog Date 16 November, 2022

• Northern Ireland: A journey into private practice

  We share an insight into the process of our renovation project and journey into private practice.

  Blog Date 11 November, 2022

• Positive government intervention on pensions

  In a recent announcement, the Government confirmed that mitigations will be made to compensate for increased charges on pensions. We explore what this may mean for your pension pot.

  Blog Date 2 November, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Dentists stuck between a rock and a hard place

  ​Are you facing an impossible choice between providing care for your NHS patients and the survival of your business?

  Blog Date 1 November, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Making the case for dental reform in a political vacuum

  ​What will it take to effect the meaningful reform of NHS dentistry?

  Blog Date 25 October, 2022

• England: Will change at the top bring cuts or reform?

  Dentistry faces navigating a new government and a possible return to austerity.

  Blog Date 21 October, 2022

• Wales: Senedd spotlight on NHS dentistry

  We reflect on giving evidence to the Senedd Dentistry Inquiry, highlighting the need for urgent action on NHS dentistry.

  Blog Date 20 October, 2022

• England: New marginal changes announcement

  ​Last week, NHS England issued further information about the marginal changes to be implemented from 1 October onwards.

  Blog Date 6 October, 2022

• Fighting the crisis in NHS dentistry

  With Will Quince at the helm of dentistry for the Government, Martin Woodrow lays out the challenges and conversations being had.

  Blog Date 5 October, 2022

• Mixing NHS and private treatment - a warning about “topping up”

  Consent remains key to delivering NHS and private care as part of any treatment plan. 'Topping up' NHS banded charges is not permitted under regulations nor sound ethics.

  Blog Date 26 September, 2022

• Can the new government keep its promises on dentistry?

  We have a new PM with a new top team, who have stated dentistry as a priority. But what’s needed now are deeds, not words.

  Blog Date 22 September, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Change needed for GDS to survive

  Soaring expenses and the growing disconnect between SDR fees and the actual cost to deliver Health Service dentistry has been a major focus for us over recent months.

  Blog Date 31 August, 2022

• NHS dentistry: Have we reached the point of no return?

  We've worked with the BBC to lift the lid on the crisis facing NHS dentistry. The results are eye-watering and shine a light on the shocking state of access to NHS care for patients across the UK.

  Blog Date 10 August, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Lindsay Society comes to Belfast

  The Lindsay Society Annual Conference is open to anyone interested in the history of dentistry. Roz gives us a preview of the weekend and what to expect if you’re planning on joining the fun.

  Blog Date 10 August, 2022

• Scotland: Building a model for early oral cancer detection

  Early diagnosis of oral cancer is essential. Here is an insight into how a Scottish dental student is developing a model that could help to shape cancer prevention in the future.

  Blog Date 9 August, 2022

• Hospital dentistry: The looming crisis has arrived

  An overview of the challenges facing all grades of dentists working in Scotland.

  Blog Date 8 August, 2022

• Scotland: Pension issues add pressure to workforce

  ​Many dentists in Scotland are unaware when their pension contributions breach annual and lifetime allowance limits, resulting in tax charges. We examine the importance of proactively requesting pension statements and being aware of the charges.

  Blog Date 3 August, 2022

• Action needed to combat dental inflation

  An insight into dental inflation and why we're asking for an uplift of 15% in relation to staff pay costs and 11.15% for other expenses.

  Blog Date 3 August, 2022

• DCT: Damning survey reveals impact of trainee pay disparity

  Pay disparity major contributor to the low morale among trainees in Northern Ireland, new survey reveals.

  Blog Date 4 July, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Increasing our impact by working together

  During the pandemic, we built closer working relationships, improved communications, and delivered more for dentists.

  Blog Date 30 June, 2022

• England: 4 things you need to know about where NHS dentistry goes next

  ​The pressure is building for real reform but requires ambition we’re yet to see from the Government.

  Blog Date 23 June, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Soaring costs and plummeting morale in HS dentistry

  ​New research on increasing costs and falling morale, and the latest discussions with the Department of Health.

  Blog Date 22 June, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Making the case to expedite dental reform

  ​We recently met with the new Permanent Secretary at Department of Health, Peter May. We stressed the urgency of expediting GDS contract reform and finding interim solutions to make Health Service dentistry financially viable and we urged the Department to grasp the nettle on a dental workforce plan.

  Blog Date 17 June, 2022

• Northern Ireland: De-registering patients correctly

  What you need to know about deregistering patients from HS practices in Northern Ireland

  Blog Date 8 June, 2022

• Scotland: Prevention is key to the future of dentistry

  Kirsty Dickson, Dental Vocational Trainee, on the policy changes needed to reshape the future of dentistry.

  Blog Date 8 June, 2022

• England: Championing a bright future for associates

  Dentists’ deep frustrations with NHS dentistry are driving a move to private practice. We are making sure associates’ voices are heard, looking to ensure the system reform process results in meaningful changes for everyone.

  Blog Date 24 May, 2022

• England: The end of NHS dentistry as we know it?

  Thanks to our members we’ve been able to present the facts to MPs on what’s really driving the crisis in NHS dentistry.

  Blog Date 24 May, 2022

• England: Delays in NHS contract reform

  ​As NHS England drag their heels on contract reform “quick wins”, we want to tell the Parliamentary Health Committee what you think about the NHS exodus.

  Blog Date 12 May, 2022

• Northern Ireland: Contract reform must be expedited

  The current GDS contract is not working and hasn’t been for some time. We are moving to engage with a contract reform process to ensure that the service is sustainable and delivers for patients and the profession.

  Blog Date 11 May, 2022