'Dental contract reform' Blog Posts

• 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: 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: 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

• Dental contract reform: our asks for 2020

  During 2019, we have continued to push for a reformed NHS dental contract that works for both patients and the profession. This is what we are asking for...

  Blog Date 12 December, 2019

• Dental contract reform: let's move forward

  We are still pushing hard to get a reformed NHS dental contract implemented from April 2021, find out what we are calling for.

  Blog Date 12 December, 2019

• Is NHS dentistry becoming a 'thing of the past' for many Welsh communities?

  We were pleased to see Welsh Assembly Members last week voicing the concerns we have been highlighting over the need for support for dentists in Wales who are suffering from stress and burnout, due to the increasing demands being put on dentists in their working lives.

  Blog Date 4 December, 2019

• The future of NHS dentistry relies on young dentists

  BDA Young Dentists Committee Chair Nikki Patel talks to the BBC about the falling morale of young dentists trying to work under the NHS dental contract and what is Government needs to do to ensure NHS dentistry has a future.

  Blog Date 28 November, 2019

• The perfect storm: the 4 million being failed by NHS dentistry

  One in 10 people are losing out on dental care and they are probably the ones who need us most. Dental practices are struggling to fill vacancies, NHS charges discourage attendance, and the NHS dental contract caps our patient numbers. It's time that Government ensures NHS dentistry has a future, says Dave Cottam.

  Blog Date 20 November, 2019

• The recruitment crisis in NHS dentistry needs to be addressed

  We were delighted to see Lord Colwyn addressing the House of Lords last week, raising the issue of the recruitment crisis that NHS dentistry is facing in response to proposed new legislation on public safety and regulation.

  Blog Date 7 November, 2019

• Dental students discuss the future of dental education and more...

  Young Dentist Committee member Amaar Hassan recently went along to the BDA Student Committee/British Dental Students Association meeting to find out what was on the agenda - including the future of dental education, stress, dental regulation, NHS dental contract reform and the issue of sustainability in dentistry.

  Blog Date 22 October, 2019

• NHS dentistry in the spotlight: AMs debate a failed contract

  We continued to highlight the failure of the NHS dental contract in Wales at a recent Welsh Assembly plenary session this week, as AMs highlighted the impact the lack of investment in dentistry is having on patients and the profession.

  Blog Date 3 October, 2019

• What will it take to fix NHS dentistry? Give your views

  Leah Farrell calls on LDCs to add their voice to the new inquiry into NHS dentistry by responding to the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee.

  Blog Date 22 August, 2019

• Dentistry under the spotlight: How can we improve the system for patients?

  We are calling on dentists to respond to a new inquiry into NHS dentistry - find out what you can do to add your voice to call for change.

  Blog Date 15 August, 2019

• Too scared to do your job? The challenges facing younger dentists today

  It’s a well-known fact that many patients still fear their dentist. What is perhaps less well known amongst the general public is just how scared many newly-qualified dentists feel about treating their patients, for fear of receiving complaints and the nightmare of ending up in front of an FTP hearing.

  Blog Date 24 July, 2019

• Is your working life as a dentist perfect?

  If so that’s great but if not why not take part in next year’s LDC Conference, and tell us what you’d like to see help make some positive changes.

  Blog Date 11 July, 2019

• From Portsmouth to Aberystwyth: a failed contract in action

  Reading the news that three NHS practices in Portsmouth are to close, Tom Bysouth, Chair of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, considers that the case for ensuring better access in Wales, is ever more urgent.

  Blog Date 19 June, 2019

• Portsmouth: The city without NHS Dentistry

  Eddie Crouch, Vice-Chair of the BDA's Principal Executive Committee, tells ITV Meridian why we need solutions from the NHS and Department of Health on the NHS dental contract, following the news that three NHS practices in Portsmouth are to close.

  Blog Date 18 June, 2019

• LDC Conference 2019: a diversity of people and opinion

  It was great to see such a diversity of people and opinions at this year's LDC Conference in Birmingham, and I'd like to thank all those who attended and took part in the debates.

  Blog Date 14 June, 2019

• Building on momentum: dental contract reform in Wales

  We're pleased that Assembly Members from across the parties have taken on board our issues and raised them in a new report published by the Welsh Assembly’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on the future for NHS dental services across Wales.

  Blog Date 4 June, 2019

• Can we reduce antibiotic prescribing in dentistry?

  Susie Sanderson explains why facing up to the threat of antibiotic resistance is important for dentistry and highlights what dentists need to be able to prescribe appropriately.

  Blog Date 2 May, 2019

• How to hold commissioners to account

  Nick Stolls explains what a Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee is, how he has used it to get NHS dentistry's issues heard, and he encourages other LDCs to get involved in their HOSC.

  Blog Date 12 April, 2019

• Highlighting the state of children's teeth in London: 1 million are missing out on free NHS dental check-ups

  Len D'Cruz recently gave oral evidence to the London Assembly Health Committee's investigation into child dental health. Your responses to our survey helped to show the challenges being faced by dentists on the ground and to make the case for what we need to improve oral health inequalities.

  Blog Date 11 April, 2019

• Dentistry's recruitment and retention crisis in Wales: making the case for pay uplifts

  We've asked the pay review body to be bold and to make a recommendation on pay uplifts that will make dentistry a viable and attractive option in Wales.

  Blog Date 3 April, 2019

• Is Government serious about the survival of NHS dentistry?

  It’s a simple idea, but UK governments are only just waking up to it: you can’t have NHS dentistry without NHS dentists.

  Blog Date 21 March, 2019

• The future for NHS dentistry: 3 key priorities

  Why we are pushing for action from Government on NHS dentistry after access issues continue

  Blog Date 6 February, 2019

• What does the BDA's board chair for Northern Ireland do?

  Your new representative for Northern Ireland on the BDA's board, Peter Crooks, tells us about his journey in dental politics and why he believes all dentists need to get involved.

  Blog Date 29 January, 2019

• Investing in oral health: Northern Ireland's lost sugar tax windfall

  Without a functioning government the £12.3 million raised from the Soft Drinks Industry Levy has disappeared into a black hole.

  Blog Date 19 December, 2018

• Do you believe in dentistry? BDA Northern Ireland 2018

  Roz McMullan takes a look back at the work of BDA Northern Ireland during 2018. She tells us why she believes dentistry is an important part of healthcare, and needs to be recognised as such.

  Blog Date 18 December, 2018

• Winning the argument on recall intervals for dental patients

  We have greeted the latest assurances that 24-month dental recall intervals will not be introduced - and that 'high-risk' patients will be seen more frequently than those in good oral health. Robert Donald explains why.

  Blog Date 6 December, 2018

• A career in dental politics in Northern Ireland

  Philip Henderson takes a look back his long career in dental politics and makes a call for others to get involved to help steer the future direction of dentistry.

  Blog Date 6 December, 2018