Dental news you’ve missed this week

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

COVID-19 – dentists’ confidence hits seven-year low

Confidence among dentists has fallen to the lowest point recorded since 2013

Dentists’ confidence has hit a seven-year low, according to new data from Lloyds Bank. Part of the reason for this is that 73% of dentists are expecting financial pressures to grow over the next five years. And it seems many have made up their mind about the solution, 62% claim they’ll cut back on the proportion of NHS work they carry out. Dentistry is already struggling to recruit. Just this month we heard of two practices shutting due to staff shortages. The increased litigation, red tape, work load, and relative decrease in NHS salary is starting to show. The future of NHS dentistry is looking particularly worrying right now.

Eight million people waiting for an NHS dental appointment

patient trying to book nHS dental appointment

On top of this, new figures show eight million people are left waiting for an NHS dental appointment this Christmas. This equates to 14% of people in England! The ADG is calling for a boost in the number of people working in dentistry. But looking at dentists’ confidence (or lack of) in the profession, it’s going to take more than this to entice (and keep) people working in the practice.

Satisfaction ‘significantly lower’ among dental patients of ethnic minority backgrounds

Dental patients from ethnic minority backgrounds have significantly lower levels of satisfaction

Dental patients from ethnic minority backgrounds have significantly lower levels of satisfaction. That’s according to new research from the GDC. Its latest survey shows, despite overall satisfaction remaining high (96% of patients satisfied), only 83% of black patients feel satisfied. This is an eye-opening statistic and it would be interesting to see the reasons behind this.

PPE order limits for dental practices increase over Christmas

Limits on personal protective equipment orders (PPE) have been increased over Christmas

Christmas is quickly approaching and the government is preparing for possible PPE disruptions. Order limits on PPE have been increased by 25% to help healthcare continue during the festive period. This increase will remain until 4 January 2021.

Call for ethnic minority healthcare workers in new COVID-19 study

Ethnic minority healthcare staff are being called upon to take part in the largest research study investigating the risks of COVID-19

The University of Leicester is calling on ethnic minority healthcare workers to take part in its research looking at the risks of COVID-19. The study was kicked off after evidence revealed those of ethnic minority backgrounds had double the risk of severe COVID-19 infection in comparison to the white population.

Private Dentistry’s 25th anniversary

Private Dentistry

And finally, Private Dentistry magazine is celebrating its 25th anniversary! In the anniversary issue, Julian English will look back on the past 25 years to see how private dentistry has progressed and look forward to see what’s coming next. To subscribe and also receive a print copy of the magazine, please visit www.fmc.co.uk/product-category/publications.

Latest webinars

With Christmas quickly approaching, you might find yourself with a little more free time than you’re used to. If you find yourself kicking your heels, why not browse through Dentistry Study Club‘s ‘on demand’ webinars! We have a whole catalogue of previous webinars available.


Catch up on last week’s news here.

Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.

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