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How long will dentists be able to continue ‘choosing’ which patients they see, Michael Watson questions. The headline figures, published by NHS Digital last week, showed that 22.2 million adult patients were seen by an NHS dentist, (51.4%) and 6.8 million children (58.2%). These statistics were seized by the BDA who labelled them a ‘national disgrace’…
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If a dentist is prosecuted by the GDC, what does it mean for employers and NHS contracts, Michael Watson questions. A story caught my eye recently about a former dentist who allegedly treated 1,500 patients while unregistered. Eleni Kalamara pleaded guilty to five specimen charges of carrying out dentistry illegally following an investigation and prosecution…
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Dental practices and teams need support and funding to take the oral health message out from the dental practice, Michael Watson says. Public Health England (PHE) has announced what it calls the next stage of its ‘world-leading childhood obesity plan’. This contains plans to ‘consider the evidence, set guidelines and closely monitor progress on calorie reduction’.…
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If Professor Tim Briggs took a closer look at NHS dentistry what would he find, Michael Watson questions. A report in The Times last week caught my eye. It said that Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, had endorsed a report that concluded the NHS is wasting money on poor care. The author, Professor Tim Briggs, an orthopaedic surgeon,…
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Michael Watson comments on the latest dentist to be caught purchasing counterfeit dental devices. Buy it ‘as long as it’s cheap’ seems to have been the mantra of one unfortunate dentist who was suspended by the General Dental Council (GDC) for three months. The Fitness to Practise hearing concerned his purchase and use of counterfeit…
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With the BBC making public the salaries of its highest earners, Michael Watson questions whether the same might happen for dentistry. We had a bit of fun last week watching the BBC squirm when the spotlight was turned on how much it pays for what it calls its ‘talent’. Could it spread to our neck of…
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Could changes in the gig economy affect dentists and the way dental associates are treated, Michael Watson questions. Matthew Taylor’s report on the so-called gig economy, where he said all work should be ‘fair and decent’, had some resonance with the UK’s dental economy, I felt. Now before anyone gets upset, I am not suggesting…
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An end to austerity won’t necessarily mean the Government will reverse the 35% fall in net income suffered by GDPs, Michael Watson says. It is an article of faith in our democratic process that the much reviled ‘first past the post’ system always yields a strong majority Government. This is in contrast to proportional representation, leading…
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Michael Watson reports on the latest national plan to tackle poor oral health in children. A year ago, the then Health Minister, Alistair Burt, told the BDA Conference that the number of children going to hospital for dental extractions was a ‘national scandal’, which should not be tolerated. Since then the profession has been waiting…
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Only when NHS England pays nurses directly will you get a nurse-led clinic, Michael Watson says. At the British Dental Association (BDA) Conference in Manchester last month, I spent a most informative session listening to Jane Delgano, president of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN). Her subject was: ‘The role of the nurse in providing…
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NHS dentistry cutbacks will continue well after the election, Michael Watson says. This week’s blog was to have been about the LDC Conference, which I have to say was the best I have attended for many a year. All praise to Alisdair McKendrick, who chaired it with the right balance of firmness and humour, together…
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Michael Watson summarises the manifestos for Labour and Conservative and explains how they will impact dentistry. Last week we finally saw the manifestos from all political parties, which have sparked intense political comment in the media. The weekend polls saw a narrowing of the gap between Conservative and Labour, with Lib Dems and UKIP falling…
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The BDA’s manifesto for the General Election won’t reach out to any political parties, Michael Watson says. Last week the BDA launched its manifesto for the General Election, telling the political parties what their priorities should be for the next parliament. BDA chair, Mick Armstrong, said that prevention should be at the heart of any effective…
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General dental practitioners should be mobilised to help combat the poor oral health of London’s homeless population, Michael Watson says. A new study published last week revealed the ‘shockingly poor oral health’ of London’s homeless population. A third of them are ‘currently’ experiencing dental pain and two thirds have lost teeth since becoming homeless. Alcohol…
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Blaming parents for the condition of their children’s oral health doesn’t consider every part of the problem, Michael Watson says. A story from Scotland caught my eye over the Easter weekend. A leading paediatric dentist there has called for parents to take more responsibility for their children’s teeth. Professor Nicola Innes, from the University of Dundee,…
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The Labour government would look to phase out private contracts and directly employ NHS staff, Michael Watson says. Listening to Jeremy Corbyn on the Andrew Marr Show this weekend, I picked up on his pledge to end ‘privatisation’ of the NHS. He also said that the service should remain ‘free at the point of delivery’…
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After Theresa May announced a snap general election, Michael Watson discusses what this could mean for dentistry. In a surprise move yesterday Prime Minister Theresa May announced that she would ask the House of Commons for the right to hold a general election on 8 June. The vote on this, which must be passed by…
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It isn’t the government’s fault that parents don’t realise children’s dental treatment is free, Michael Watson says. Last week the BDA issued a press release calling for a shake-up in patients’ charges. It said there was confusion over exemptions keeping children and vulnerable patients from receiving support with treatment. In addition, over 50,000 fines were being…
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As the UK discusses leaving the EU, Michael Watson explains some of the issues that will affect dentists. In the wake of last week’s triggering of Article 50, marking the formal start of Brexit negotiations, and the publication of the ‘Great Reform Bill’ it is a good time to ask what the effect will be on…
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