What you’ve missed this week

Missed out on this week’s dental news? No problem, here’s what happened over the past seven days…

‘It’s taking a long time, but we’re getting there’ Sara Hurley says on contract

Sara Hurley says the current prototypes are looking ‘favourable’ in terms of providing clinical results. 

Speaking yesterday at the Westminster Health Forum, the chief dental officer gave a brief update on dental contract reform.

She believes there is sufficient evidence to continue on the current path of contract reform.

Bupa gives pay rise to dental nurses

As part of an ongoing focus on pay and benefits for colleagues, Bupa Dental Care has announced a pay rise for its dental nurses.

The change will benefit more than 2,000 colleagues and comes as part of a focus to improve the offer to colleagues across the business following Bupa’s acquisition of Oasis in 2017, including developing career pathways and progression opportunities for staff.

New research led by an international team, including researchers at the University of Bristol, suggests hereditary traits and factors such as obesity, education and personality could influence tooth decay and gum disease.

Researchers know that two individuals who have a similar diet and oral health regime may end up with a different number of cavities but have not been able to explain why until now.

Dental crisis in Wales as just one in six NHS practices accept new patients

Only one in six NHS dental practices in Wales are accepting new adult patients, research from the BDA shows.

The research shows 55 out of 355, or 15.5%, practices in Wales are able to offer appointments.

Figures have dropped markedly since 2012 when 37% of new adult patients were able to find an NHS appointment.

Burning mouth syndrome misdiagnosis

New research urges more rigorous standards when diagnosing burning mouth syndrome

According to new research by the School of Dental Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, not all burning mouths are the result of a medical condition known as ‘burning mouth syndrome’ (BMS) and dental professionals need better standards for an appropriate diagnosis.

Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing eye disease

Specialists are warning that smokers are twice as likely to lose their vision compared to a non-smoker.

Despite the connection, only one in five people recognise that smoking can lead to blindness, a poll for the Association of Optometrists (AOP) finds.

Dental group Dentina acquires sixth practice

Bristol-based dental group Dentina has acquired its sixth practice with advice from the commercial law firm Meade King and has launched a new specialist referral centre

Dentina has acquired the Clifton Dental Surgery in Clifton Village which specialises in general, cosmetic and implant surgery.

Your chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot

FMC is giving you the chance to win an Amazon Echo Dot, simply by filling in this short survey.

If you could take two minutes to fill in the questionnaire below and send it back to us, you will be included in a free prize draw to win an Amazon Echo Dot.