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The dental profession is renowned for its love of an acronym, but sometimes they need to be spelled out – the ADG explains its role in UK dentistry. While acronyms are a great shortcut if you are in the know, they represent more of a challenge if you are unsure – and are wondering if…
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Neil Carmichael details the work of the ADG to improve access and solve workforce problems in the dental profession. The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) is committed to providing access to dentistry – wherever it is required. Tackling urgent care, supporting children as their teeth develop, meeting the needs of vulnerable people, propelling the prevention…
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Neil Carmichael highlights the importance of evidence from within the profession in the campaign to fix NHS dentistry. In my previous life as an MP, I was privileged to chair a select committee. The insight this gave me into the importance of collating evidence, questioning it appropriately, and making sure the ‘truth is out’ is…
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Neil Carmichael explains how the government’s devolution plans to decentralise power will impact the dental profession. In December 2024 Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister announced plans for a ‘devolution revolution’ in England. The premise from the government is to give more control to local areas and decentralise power in order to kick start the…
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Neil Carmichael highlights the importance of gathering robust data for understanding the dental landscape in 2025. When we consider the landscape we face into this year, it is important for us to make sure we consider the data we have carefully. Due to the nature of how dentistry is delivered, in either independent or group…
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Neil Carmichael reports back from a busy day of networking and education at the inaugural Association of Dental Groups Conference in Manchester. On Friday 15 November the first Association of Dental Groups (ADG) Conference took place at Old Trafford Stadium. With over 80 groups and 200 delegates registered to attend it was always going to…
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How has NHS dentistry changed since its inception in 1948? Neil Carmichael explores the evolving landscape of UK dentistry. While Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation of the NHS in Enlgand only contained 167 words on dentistry, I think we would all agree this is a disproportionately small number of words compared to the size of the…
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Neil Carmichael introduces the Patients First paper, the ADG’s recommended strategy for government reform of UK dental care. Over the last few years we have become used to seeing headlines about dentistry across the media. Yet, the Association of Dental Groups (ADG) often feels that these headlines may not provide the whole picture of the…
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Neil Carmichael explores the diverse facets of private dentistry to challenge negative perceptions from the public and profession. In the current climate, private dentistry is often portrayed as the villain, both for the public, and arguably within the profession. It is often given as part of the reason that access to NHS dental care is…
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Recruitment is at the heart of the dental workforce crisis, argues Neil Carmichael, but what is the solution? UK dentistry is in a state of crisis. Horror stories of pensioners pulling out their own teeth with garden pliers or children admitted to hospital in their thousands hit our headlines on a weekly basis. Recruitment of…
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Neil Carmichael asks what the long-awaited dentistry recovery plan needs to prioritise to achieve real change in dental policy. Sir Charles Cunningham, a distinguished and effective permanent secretary at the Home Office during the years 1957 to 1966, observed that any policy was rather like an elephant, being difficult to describe but easy to recognise.…
