'Scotland' Blog Posts

• Scotland: I cannot carry the workload of three dentists

  A practice owner explains why they have written to their MSPs to ask for urgent support to keep NHS dentistry in Scotland afloat.

  Blog Date 17 May, 2023

• Scotland: Applying for a Dental Vocational Training Number via 'Equivalence'

  We explore how dentists make an application for a Vocational Training number on the grounds that experience, and training has been acquired which should be regarded as equivalent to Vocational Training. We also look at the most appropriate contract dentists should be engaged on by practices.

  Blog Date 14 March, 2023

• Scotland: The year ahead

  This year we look for a way forward after the significant challenges faced by the dental profession over the past 12 months.

  Blog Date 10 February, 2023

• The four nations' wishes for 2023

  ​As we enter the new year BDJ In Practice has asked each of the four British Dental Association offices across the UK's nations to reflect on the past year's struggles and set wishes on how to improve the situation for 2023 and beyond.

  Blog Date 11 January, 2023

• Scotland: New SAS contract available

  As the festive season builds and a new year approaches Speciality and Associate Specialists (SAS) dentists and doctors are seeing a reformed contract, offering significant progression from the previous version.

  Blog Date 6 December, 2022

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Scotland: Real contract reform negotiations needed now

  We’re calling for meaningful and long overdue contract reform negotiations with the Scottish Government as the profession faces an uncertain future.

  Blog Date 19 April, 2022

• Scotland New LDC improves representation for Orkney dentistry

  ​Orkney's new Local Dental Committee (LDC) and what it means for tackling local challenges and championing local solutions.

  Blog Date 31 March, 2022

• Scotland: Preventing the collapse of NHS dentistry

  Opposition parties are joining our call for meaningful support and real reform.

  Blog Date 25 February, 2022

• Scotland: Is this the end of NHS dentistry in Scotland?

  Evidence from members shows the Scottish Government have blindly headed down a path that could destroy this service.

  Blog Date 4 November, 2021

• Scotland: Opening doors for students

  How is the new bursary scheme in Scotland benefitting dental students and what other supports are available to them?

  Blog Date 20 July, 2021

• Fair COVID payments for maternity leave dentists

  Success in Northern Ireland and renewed pressure in Scotland in fight for fair COVID-19 payments for maternity leave dentists

  Blog Date 8 July, 2021

• Scotland: Lobbying government to change dentistry

  What are the practicalities of lobbying for change? David McColl and Kenny McDonald discuss what’s next on the agenda for improving dentistry in Scotland.

  Blog Date 6 May, 2021

• Scotland: Putting dentistry on the political agenda

  How our oral health manifesto is shaping election debate and what else the next Scottish Government needs to do to bridge oral health inequalities.

  Blog Date 15 April, 2021

• Becoming a volunteer vaccinator in Scotland

  On becoming a COVID-19 volunteer vaccinator in Scotland and how you can join up.

  Blog Date 4 March, 2021

• Scotland: Putting PDS in the spotlight

  Graham Smith, Chair of the Scottish PDS Committee, highlights the massive backlog of unmet dental need and the future capacity concerns.

  Blog Date 3 February, 2021

• Scotland: Fighting for dentistry

  Phil Grigor, Director of BDA Scotland, takes stock of 2020’s successes and challenges and looks ahead to 2021.

  Blog Date 17 December, 2020

• Scotland: COVID-19 impacts dental education and training

  What impact has the pandemic had on dental education and training in Scotland? Colin Levey of the University of Dundee investigates.

  Blog Date 11 November, 2020

• Scotland: Our ongoing fight for dentists

  David McColl outlines 10 things BDA Scotland is doing on your behalf right now and why it’s vital that we stick together.

  Blog Date 28 September, 2020

• Coronavirus: Increased pressure on UDCCs in Scotland

  Stuart Fullerton, an associate dentist based near Glasgow, discusses the ever increasing pressure on urgent dental care centres as lockdown lifts.

  Blog Date 14 July, 2020

• Coronavirus: Three ways we are campaigning for dentists in Scotland

  Dr Phil Grigor looks at how BDA Scotland is working on your behalf as the phased return to dentistry continues.

  Blog Date 2 July, 2020

• Coronavirus: Reopening dental practices in Scotland

  David McColl reflects on the plans to reopen dental practices in Scotland and the challenges facing dentists.

  Blog Date 18 June, 2020

• Coronavirus: Hospital dentistry in Scotland during and after COVID-19

  Manar Elkhazindar on some of the challenges faced by the Hospital Dental Service in Scotland in dealing with COVID-19 and planning what comes after.

  Blog Date 19 May, 2020

• Coronavirus: Progress made in Scotland in early May

  It’s now been six weeks since lockdown was declared in the UK to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Here in Scotland, we continue to press for progress and clarity on financial support for dentists and dentistry and for plans to be made for dentistry post-lockdown.

  Blog Date 7 May, 2020

• Coronavirus: PDS leading on urgent care in Scotland

  The chair of the Scottish PDS Committee tells us how the PDS have led the way in setting up urgent care in Scotland and reflects on years of underfunding.

  Blog Date 23 April, 2020

• Coronavirus: Progress on key areas in Scotland

  Dr Phil Grigor, BDA Scotland National Director, highlights some of the main recent developments affecting dentists and their teams.

  Blog Date 16 April, 2020