Friday 17 September 2021
17:15
England: Isolation of fully-vaccinated staff if a household member has COVID
We continue to get a lot of queries about the difference between government advice on self-isolation for "double-jabbed" staff coming into close contact with COVID positive individuals and NHS England's position.
We can now confirm that the advice below is for practices with an NHS commitment; 100% private practices can choose to follow the wider Government advice, or to follow the NHS advice. However, such practices would need to be able to justify their decision making process.
The wider Government advice is that fully-vaccinated individuals do not need to self-isolate (assuming other precautions are being taken) if a household contact tests positive; however, the NHS advice is that staff will be asked not to come to work for 10 days.
Where this is causing some disruption to the provision of dental services, it may be appropriate for the staff living with a positive COVID-19 case to return to work, in line with Government guidance, in a risk-assessed way. This should be done through a process agreed with an appropriate senior decision maker (e.g. DPH) and conditions will include:
- If staff absence creates a significant risk to the health or safety of patients or service users, health and social care staff who have been identified as a contact of a case of COVID - may be able to attend work rather than self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated (more than 14 days after the second dose)
- This must only occur in exceptional circumstances and where additional safety measures can be upheld. The decision must also be subject to a practice risk assessment process which should involve "the senior clinical leadership, commissioner and
local Director of Public Health"
- These staff members should only attend work after having a negative PCR test and daily negative LFD antigen tests
We have produced a
risk assessment form
which allows practices in England to consider whether a full vaccinated member of staff, who has been identified as a COVID contact, may attend work.
15:52
Survey on dental academic pensions
We are seeking to understand the pension arrangements for dental clinical academics, whether it is the NHS Pension Scheme, the USS pension scheme or another workplace pension. Given the attention focused on the USS pension scheme at the moment we are keen to find out what impact this will have on the dental clinical academic workforce and those affected by the proposed changes to contributions and benefits.
The information provided will help inform how we can provide support and information in relation to your pension. Please complete this short survey before Wednesday 29 September to provide us with information about your pension arrangements.
12:36
Employers must pay statutory sick pay from 1 October
From 1 October 2021 small employers, who were able to claim back the statutory sick pay (SSP) for employees unable to work due to Covid, will once more, have to cover the full cost of SSP. Payment of SSP in relation to a Covid related absence will no longer be payable from the first day of absence, rather normal SSP rules will apply.
Employers must submit or amend all claims for periods of sickness prior to 1 October 2021 by 31 December 2021.
Employers must:
- have already paid their employee's SSP
- be claiming for an employee who is eligible for SSP due to Covid
- have a PAYE payroll scheme that was created and started on or before 28 February 2020
- have had fewer than 250 employees on 28 February 2020 across all their PAYE payroll schemes.
12:01
England: FFP3 respirators with valves and PAPR hoods
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have confirmed that their recent alert on infection risk when using FFP3 respirators with valves or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) during surgical and invasive procedures, does not apply to high street and community dentistry.
The problem is that the air exiting both of these is not filtered, and there have been reports of five incidents where the "dripping of condensation from the exhalation valve" has potentially compromised the sterile field. However, none of these incidents were in dentistry. We sought clarification as to when this might apply and Public Health England has said:
"The MHRA safety alert will only apply to dentistry in situations where an FFP3 is worn. Specifically, while carrying out surgical procedures when sterility directly over the surgical field is required (eg in theatres). It is unlikely that this alert will apply to situations where FFP3s are worn while carrying out surgical procedures in primary care settings." and "(we) do not see this applying to CDS services doing extractions, for example, in a theatre".
11:06
Advice: Selling your practice
If you are thinking about selling your practice there are many things you should consider. Our updated advice has been put together to
help members prepare your practice for sale
and guide you through the sales process.
It will tell you:
- How to offer your practice for sale and whether to use an agency
- What you can do to improve the attractiveness of your business
- How goodwill can be influenced
- About staffing issues such as TUPE regulations, redundancy, associates and practice transfers and foundation and vocational training practices
- What types of clauses you are likely to find in a sale agreement.
09:18
England: New Minister for Dentistry
Maggie Throup MP was confirmed last night as the new Minister for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care, with overall responsibility for dentistry.
Previously a government whip, the former biomedical scientist takes on the role at an unprecedented time for this profession.
Her predecessor, Jo Churchill MP - now moved to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – together with NHS England and the Chief Dental Officer committed to reforming the discredited NHS dental contract by April 2022.
On Wednesday the Prime Minister told Parliament "we want the NHS to be a better place for the dental profession.” We congratulate Maggie Throup, and offer our commitment to work with her team to deliver on that goal and ensure a sustainable dental service.
Thursday 16 September 2021
17:14
Northern Ireland: New localised commissioning model should include dentistry
We have
responded to a Department of Health consultation on a new Integrated Care System that will see local providers and local communities planning care and services for their area.
Under the proposals, new Area Integrated Partnership Boards (AIPBs) will be established along each HSC Trust area. We have emphasised the need to include dental representation on all tiers of the new local commissioning arrangements. We have also highlighted the important role LDCs could play in bringing forward local dental issues to the new Boards. We will keep you updated.
15:18
What can dentists do to support LGBTQ+ patients?
What needs to happen for dental practices/dentistry to become more LGBTQ+ inclusive? Does a dentist need to know about a patient's sexual orientation or gender identity? What can you do to better help your LGBTQ+ patients? These are some of the interesting questions tackled in these still-relevant pre-pandemic pieces on the important issue of inclusivity:
13:21
Confidential counselling and emotional support
We provide all members with access to Health Assured, a comprehensive confidential service designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that could be affecting your home life or work life, health, and general wellbeing. Members can access the helpline 24/7, 365 days a year. Support includes:
- Life support: Unlimited access to counselling for emotional problems and a pathway to structured telephone counselling for you or your dependents and for you face-to-face counselling sessions at your convenience.
- Legal information: Advice for you on any issues that cause anxiety or distress including debt management, accountancy, lawsuits, consumer disputes, property or neighbour disputes.
- Bereavement support: Health Assured offers qualified and experienced counsellors who can help with grief and related stress plus a team of legal advisors to help with legal issues.
- Medical information: Qualified nurses are on hand to offer advice on a range of medical or health related issues. They can't diagnose but can offer a sympathetic ear and practical information and advice.
- CBT online: We recognise the value of self-help tools in dealing with a range of issues, which is why we have a range of CBT self-help modules, informative factsheets and invaluable advice videos from leading qualified counsellors.
11:47
Furlough scheme - claims deadline
The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme,
will remain open until 30 September 2021. For claims relating to August and September 2021, the government will pay 60% of wages up to a maximum cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee is on furlough.
Employers must top up their employees’ wages to make sure they receive 80% of their wages (up to £2,500) for the hours they are on furlough. The caps are proportional to the hours not worked. Claims for September must be submitted by 14 October 2021 and any amendments must be made by 28 October 2021.
See our guide to this scheme in our information on
Practice owners: Advice on paying staff.
10:47
England: Long-term NHS race equality strategy
NHS England is planning to design a race equality strategy and they are
asking for your views. Their aim is to establish standards for advancing race equality, eliminating discrimination and fostering good relations. All members of the NHS family are invited to contribute and share their thoughts. Please consider responding individually on what this strategy should include in terms of your own experiences. It will take approximately four minutes to complete. All your responses are confidential and the closing date is 1 October.
Wednesday 15 September 2021
18:07
England: Where is dentistry's support on the backlogs?
Today the Prime Minister told the House of Commons he recognised NHS dentistry needs fixing, stating that "we want the NHS to be a better place for the dental profession.”
Last week’s announcement of a £36 billion boost for frontline services, to be funded by the new Health and Social Care Levy, was described by the Prime Minister as the "biggest catch-up programme in the NHS's history".
With Health Secretary Sajid Javid now confirmed to be staying in post, Eddie Crouch and Shawn Charlwood have written to him,
seeking assurances that we can work to achieve the PM's objective. We need clarity that a proportion of this new money will be used to help tackle the unprecedented backlog of dental care and enable dentists to continue to provide NHS care in the years ahead.
Copies of this message have been sent to the dentistry Minister Jo Churchill MP, as well Sir James Mackey, who has recently been appointed to advise on clearing the enormous backlog of elective surgery that has built up over the past 18 months – including of course, dental procedures under general anaesthetic.
16:10
HMRC and associates: No change on self-employment
HMRC has for many years accepted that associate dentists are almost always self-employed. Its guidance has included mention of our associate agreement in its employment status manual, but as of April 2023, this paragraph will be withdrawn.
The withdrawal of this guidance will have no impact on the self-employed status of the majority of associate dentists. Indeed, HMRC has told us that this is a change to their guidance, not a change to the self-employment status of associate dentists. They have simply stopped making reference to third party advice in their own guidance. The National Association of Dental Accountants and Lawyers, the experts on the dental sector, also say the change in guidance will have minimal impact.
We can continue to rely on the current guidance (ESM4030) until April 2023, and HMRC will not be using the withdrawal of the guidance as a reason to open retrospective enquiries into periods prior to 6 April 2023.
Find out more:
12:44
Podcast: Entrepreneurship in dentistry
On our podcast, three dentists who each run their own business chat to us about what it's like to take the leap.
They discuss the obstacles, the rewards and answer our most pressing questions such as - when is the right time to do it? What are the right motivations? And, is it worth it?
Our guests have all taken risks to own their businesses including: taking over an independent practice, building a ten-site empire and creating a digital start-up.
Join us for a frank and open conversation about entrepreneurship as a career choice in dentistry.
"We know dentistry inside out. We may not be financially trained or have done MBAs, but we know dentistry. We know patients, we know patient care."
Listen on
Apple podcasts,
Google podcasts,
Spotify or search “Chairside” on your chosen podcast platform.
10:01
Scotland: Encouraging vaccination
NHS Lothian and Professor Jason Leitch are
promoting vaccination to dental teams in Scotland . After praising dental teams in Scotland for doing their best during the challenges of the pandemic, Professor Leitch asked dental teams for help with a “last push on vaccination.”
“If anyone in the team isn’t vaccinated, please do it... The influence you have over others, please use it... It could be the wider dental team, family and friends, patients and families. Please get them to go for vaccination.
There are drop-in clinics everywhere... The simple message is - vaccination is a lot better than COVID.”
09:15
Time for a joined-up strategy to address health inequalities
As a member of the Inequalities Health Alliance, we have written to the Prime Minister today
calling for an explicit health inequalities strategy. A cross-government plan that reduces health inequalities and involves all government departments is needed.
Oral health inequalities are now set to widen. Tooth decay is an almost entirely preventable condition yet remains the leading cause of hospital admissions among children in the UK, with those in the most deprived areas suffering the greatest burden.
We have long called for a
prevention-based strategy to help tackle these issues. Dentistry needs a valued workforce. NHS dentists must be properly recognised and their commitment rewarded. Barriers to care need to be removed and we need a commitment to funding a prevention-based oral health strategy.
Health inequalities were estimated to cost the UK £31-33 billion each year before COVID-19. But a joined-up strategy will, in the long-term, reduce pressure on, and provide savings to the NHS.
Tuesday 14 September 2021
17:09
England: Ensuring dentists' voices are heard
The Health and Care Bill, which will change the way dental services are commissioned, began to be scrutinised in detail by MPs earlier today. We have been briefing MPs and seeking assurances from the Government on areas of the Bill which might be of concern specifically to dentists. We have also joined forces with the bodies representing GPs, pharmacists, opticians and hearing care professionals.
Alongside the BMA, PSNC, OFNC and NCHA, we have called for all sectors of primary care to be properly recognised and represented within the new systems. We have been warning that the Bill risks the under-representation of wider primary care on the new Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships. We are calling for provisions which would ensure the voice of dentists – and other primary care colleagues – is heard when commissioning decisions are being made. We will keep you updated on our work on the Bill.
16:21
Northern Ireland: Oral health included in Cancer Strategy
We have secured the inclusion of an oral health section in the newly launched
10-year Northern Ireland Cancer Strategy, which is currently out for public consultation.
Unfortunately, the majority of oral cancers in Northern Ireland are diagnosed at stage IV which has a significant impact on survival. The five year survival rate for oral cancer in Northern Ireland is approximately 45% overall, 66% for those diagnosed at stage I and only 25% for those diagnosed at stage IV. However, much of the public remain unaware of the risks.
Dentists and their teams have a vital role to play in ensuring oral cancers are detected early. That’s why, we campaign to raise awareness and provide essential resources to dental professionals, but more public awareness is needed. This strategy commits to raising public awareness of the risk factors and early signs of mouth cancer and the importance of regular dental check-ups for those at increased risk. This was the culmination of extensive engagement work with our key partners behind the scenes.
13:01
Scotland: Grant eligibility criteria and training for ‘red band’ handpieces
The
Chief Dental Officer for Scotland has clarified the eligibly requirements for funding applications for electric speed adjusting ‘red band’ handpieces. To be eligible, the handpieces must be operated by an electric motor at less than 60,000 rpm. No other technical specifications need to be met and there is no requirement to purchase the equipment from a specific supplier.
To help practitioners understand how to set up and use these handpieces appropriately, NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will be conducting a free webinar on Thursday 16 September at 18:00 called “Reducing AGPs, Using Red Band Handpieces and Electric Micromotors in Practice”. Further details can be found on the
NES Portal.
12:33
Safeguarding: Advice and expert templates
The dental team has an ethical responsibility to know about local protection procedures for adults and children, and to follow them if they might be at risk of abuse or neglect. Our
updated advice on safeguarding
children and adults clearly outlines what you need to know. This includes information on disclosure, record keeping and different types of abuse.
Expert members can also access our safeguarding templates:
10:11
England: FFP3 respirators with valves and PAPR hoods
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have confirmed that their recent alert on infection risk when using FFP3 respirators with valves or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) during surgical and invasive procedures, does not apply to high street and community dentistry.
The problem is that the air exiting both of these is not filtered, and there have been reports of five incidents where the "dripping of condensation from the exhalation valve" has potentially compromised the sterile field. However, none of these incidents were in dentistry. We sought clarification as to when this might apply and Public Health England has said:
"The MHRA safety alert will only apply to dentistry in situations where an FFP3 is worn. Specifically, while carrying out surgical procedures when sterility directly over the surgical field is required (eg in theatres). It is unlikely that this alert will apply to situations where FFP3s are worn while carrying out surgical procedures in primary care settings." and "(we) do not see this applying to CDS services doing extractions, for example, in a theatre".
09:22
BDA Board: Congratulations to elected candidates
We wish to congratulate the following senior officers who were re-elected to their positions during the BDA Board meeting last week.
- Eddie Crouch as Chair
- Peter Crooks as Deputy Chair
- Shareena Ilyas as Chair of Education, Ethics and the Dental Team Working Group
We look forward to working with all officers as they continue to work hard for our members and the profession as a whole over the next 12 months.
Don't forget, our
triannual elections are taking place later this year and we are looking for members to come forward to represent their colleagues across a whole range of BDA committees as well as on our board of directors.
If you're interested please get in touch -
elections@bda.org - or watch this space for more information soon.
Monday 13 September 2021
14:27
Dental politics: Building something from nothing
In her recent blog, associate dentist and BDA Scottish Council member, Carly Fraser explains how representation at a local level can have a huge impact on you and your profession.
Her experience of getting involved in dental politics – where there had recently been no dental representation at all – is a great demonstration of the good it can do, for you as an individual and your community. Through opportunities for connection, education and community, Carly has been able to help give a voice to dentists in her area, while also learning a lot and meeting new people:
“The Aberdeen section and the North of Scotland branch had been inactive for quite some time before they were re-established by my predecessor. This meant that for a long time there was no representation for dentists in our area, and dentists here didn’t have the same access to resources that dentists in other areas of the UK enjoyed. I got involved to help out, and it’s since taught me so much about my area of dentistry, introduced me to a huge number of people and given me a keener understanding of the issues facing dentists in Scotland.”
12:48
England: Letter to the Minister on SNOMED CT
We’ve written to Jo Churchill MP, the minister for dentistry, urging her to intervene to resolve the problems with the implementation of SNOMED CT.
Despite our efforts, there appears to be a continued difference in approach on implementation from the Office of the Chief Dental Officer (OCDO) and NHSX. The OCDO has reiterated its view that dentists must now begin using SNOMED CT and use codes available from the BSA, but in meetings with us NHSX has said that practices do not need to roll-out the coding system now and that time should be taken to develop a dental-specific codeset.
We’ve been engaging with both organisations as well as NHS England and the DHSC to seek a clear, fit-for-purpose codeset and practical guidance on how dentists are expected to use SNOMED CT. It is completely unacceptable that dentists, and ultimately patients, have been caught in between these different positions and lack of clear guidance. We hope that the minister will be able to assist us in resolving the matter.
10:22
Amalgam: Promoting the interests of UK dentistry
We have written to the Chief Dental Officers of the four UK nations, seeking their commitment to promote the interests of UK dentistry in international negotiations on the future of dental amalgam.
We have asked the CDOs for the following:
- To ensure that the UK makes strong representations against a total phase-out, or an excessively rapid phase-down, of dental amalgam at upcoming meetings on the global Minamata Convention on mercury. Whilst we support a gradual reduction in dental amalgam use, this must be underpinned by the development of suitable alternative materials and an increased focus on prevention.
- To engage with plans to phase out dental amalgam in Europe by 2030. Although the UK has left the EU, Northern Ireland will still be directly affected under the Northern Ireland Protocol, and supply chains to Great Britain will collapse if no action is taken.
Access problems and increasing inequalities due to the pandemic mean that it is more important than ever to avoid the abrupt loss of dental amalgam as a restorative material without ensuring that alternatives are available and mitigating need.
The BDA has been working at a national, European and global level to secure a pragmatic phase-down in the use of dental amalgam, which will balance the needs of dentistry and public health with efforts to protect the environment from mercury pollution – of which dental amalgam is one source.
We have offered to collaborate with the CDOs to ensure a workable solution for UK patients, health systems and the environment.
