NHS

Dental contract, described as ‘high priority’, to be introduced in 2018

A Health Minister has insisted the new dental contract is a ‘very high government priority’ – despite the long delay in…

Dentistry

Improving oral health in care homes

The oral health of older people living in care homes needs to be given more priority, Michael Watson says. A…

Oral health

Dentists acting as ‘tax collectors’, government told

Dentists are being forced to act as ‘tax collectors’, ministers have been told – with no guarantee that the money…

Dentistry

Thoughts on a time-limited offer

With the prospect of time-limited contracts hanging in the air for NHS contract holders, understandably the topic has been of…

Dentistry Features

Government reshuffle means ‘no excuse for unfinished business’

The BDA has said there’s ‘no excuse for unfinished business’ with the appointment of Jeremy Hunt as Secretary of State…

Dentistry

Politicians should be honest with the public about the NHS

Michael Watson reviews a new report from the King’s Fund calling on the government to be honest with the public…

Dentistry

Jump in the number of dental professionals performing ‘too many’ UDAs

The number of individual dental professionals performing more than 18,000 UDAs in England and Wales has jumped over the past…

Dentistry

NHS bursary for hygiene and therapy students to be stopped

The government has announced plans to stop dental hygiene and therapy students of an NHS bursary. Dental therapists, hygienists, nurses,…

Young Dentist

Record registration numbers announced in Scotland

Record numbers of Scottish patients are registered with an NHS dentist, according to the latest figures from ISD Scotland. The…

Dentistry

Who will be the next Prime Minister?

Michael Watson looks back through history to speculate on who might be the next Prime Minister. The unexpected outcome of…

Dentistry

It’s enough to make you sick

Pharmaceutical companies are finding new ways to keep the prices of their drugs and medicines high, which is hitting the…

Dentistry

Swimming against the tide

The current commissioning model for the NHS has become part of the problem, Kevin Lewis says. This column is like…

Dentistry

NHS uncertainty continues to crush professional confidence

A group of key opinion leaders recently met to explore the results of Practice Plan’s NHS Confidence Monitor in greater…

Dentistry Features

Sara Hurley tells it straight

After Sara Hurley’s latest talk at the Conference of Local Dental Committees, Michael Watson explains how dentistry is run in…

Dentistry

Investment in dental health of diabetic patients could save NHS millions

Tackling the dental health of those suffering with diabetes has been found to create substantial savings in further medical treatments,…

Oral health

Sara Hurley begins series of regional practice visits

Sara Hurley, CDO for England, visited Kimberworth Park Dental Practice in Rotherham as part of a series of regional visits. The…

Dentistry

Alistair Burt claims child extractions a ‘national scandal’

The number of children going to hospital for dental extractions is a ‘national scandal’, Health Minister, Alistair Burt MP has…

Dentistry

Scrapping NHS bursaries could have a ‘massive impact’

Scrapping NHS bursaries for students in nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions could save £88 million. That’s according to…

Dentistry

NHS dental contract – what are the problems?

Michael Watson highlights the weaknesses with the current NHS dental contract. I shall be at the BDA Conference in Manchester this…

Dentistry