Updates from week commencing 27 September 2021

Friday 1 October 2021

16:10

BDA Benevolent Fund: London marathon 2021

On Sunday, 100,000 people will be taking part in the biggest marathon ever staged in the world, by running in London and all over the country. We're pleased to see dentists and a dental student are taking part to fundraise on behalf of the BDA Benevolent Fund, a charity supporting dentists and dental students living in the UK who are in financial hardship.

They’re hoping to raise £8,000 this year. Can you help?

“This is my first marathon and every penny that anybody donates will be hugely appreciated by me and the charity I am supporting.” – Dr Helen Reddington

“I can't wait to get going with training in full flow and I look forward to all your help and support in sponsoring me for what is a fantastic cause and organisation!” - Dr. Zayd Rawoot

“I am a dental student currently studying at King's College London... I would appreciate your help in raising some money for such an amazing charity.” - Ronan Lee

15:06

Furlough scheme ends

The Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, known as the furlough scheme has now ended. 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: Practice owners: Advice on paying staff.

13:36

Advice: NHS England third quarter contracts

Our advice team have outlined what you need to know about NHS England’s third quarter contracts:

• Advice: Quarter three targets Oct – Dec 2021 (including: Force majeure template)
• Associate side agreement, England, Oct – Dec 2021
• Associate side agreement, England, Oct – Dec 2021 (orthodontics)

Members can access this advice by signing in and if you’re not a member you can join today.

11:34

England: NHS race equality survey closes today

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. The survey closes today. It will take approximately four minutes to complete and all your responses are confidential.

10:53

England: FDs count towards quarter three contract

From today, NHS practices in England are obliged to meet 65% of their pre-COVID activity levels or face financial penalties. However, NHS England has confirmed that foundation dentists’ activity will continue to count towards a practice’s overall UDA delivery during quarter three.

09:01

NHS England: 65% activity target imposed

A 65% activity target was imposed yesterday with minutes to spare and ahead of any meaningful relaxation of COVID restrictions. From today, practices are obliged to meet 65% of their pre-COVID activity levels or face financial penalties. The target will remain in place until 1 January 2022.

We have pressed for restraint on targets, underlining that any significant increase will further undermine the long-term sustainability of services in England. Around a third of practices were incapable of achieving these levels in recent months. Now if practices fall below 52% they must return a substantial proportion of their NHS funding, leaving hundreds of already struggling practices at risk. Abatement will fall from 16.75% to 12.75% on undelivered contract value. While orthodontic providers will see increases of 5% to both top and bottom thresholds.

Practices are still facing major limits on capacity owing to standard operating procedures designed during the first wave of the pandemic. Approaches to ease restrictions are set to be consulted on, but there is no clarity when any changes will take effect.

Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the BDA General Dental Practice Committee said: “This service was in crisis long before COVID struck. We have pressed for restraint on targets, but we need to see real ambition on reform if this service is going to have a future.”

Thursday 30 September 2021

15:20

Racism at GDC: Proper safeguards are needed to protect registrants

We have called on the General Dental Council (GDC) to ensure it offers meaningful protection to all registrants, following the suspension of a Practice Committee Member for making racially motivated comments.

Rashpal Singh Mondair, a former chair of the Committee, now faces an immediate six-month suspension, to be followed by a review. On 1 August 2018, while acting as a Practice Committee Member, he made comments along the lines of “this is going to sound racist but…” stating he would not want to be treated by a dentist from Africa. Witnesses suggest similar views were expressed concerning dentists from both Eastern Europe and Asia.

The GDC has already recognised that these comments had the potential to jeopardise the impartiality of the regulatory process, and risked the integrity and fairness of decision-making. The regulator has made a commitment to analyse over-representation in Fitness to Practise cases. We are seeking urgent clarity that this unprofessional behaviour has not impacted the treatment of any registrants to date and that safeguards are in place to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all.

Shareena Ilyas, Chair of our Education, Ethics and the Dental Team Working Group said: “The General Dental Council has taken the right course of action. However, this raises serious questions about decisions taken over the course of years. An individual harbouring poisonous views was free to hold a privileged position at a health watchdog. Ethnic minority dentists are already more likely to expect referrals from patients. We need cast-iron assurances that safeguards are now in place to ensure fair treatment for all when complaints reach the GDC.”

13:25

England: Free flu jabs confirmed for NHS dental teams

This morning NHS England announced that NHS dental teams will be eligible for the NHS flu programme this year. Chief Dental Officer, Sara Hurley, has encouraged all dentists to take up this new offer for their own safety and our patients.

This is welcome news, and not before time. We are pressing for this to be a permanent arrangement, not a one-off.

Who is eligible?
Staff employed by primary care contractors and involved in the frontline provision of primary care services, including non-clinical staff directly who have face-to-face contact with patients.

Who is not eligible?
Any non-clinical staff not directly involved with the provision of NHS services on a day-to-day basis or do not have face-to-face contact with patients are not eligible. Primary care contractors and their frontline staff who provide private services only are also not eligible. Staff who work in private practices can be offered flu vaccination paid for by their employer under their occupational health responsibilities.

12:38

Public Health England closes today

Today, Public Health England ceases to exist. From tomorrow the dental public health workforce will be move to their new employing organisations:

• Department of Health and Social Care – Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (DHSC OHID)
• NHS England/Improvement (NHSE/I)
• UK Health Security Authority (UKHSA)

The current national dental team will move to the OHID and the majority of consultants in dental public health will move to NHSE/I on 1 October. Specialty trainees will continue to be attached to consultants for the relevant elements of their training pathway. If they undertake a health protection placement they will be attached to individuals in the UKHSA.

We have been working to ensure that we as your union are recognised by all three organisations and to ensure that the dental voice is heard.

11:04

England: Still no clarity on GDP contract

We are now just one day away from the start of October and the end of the current contractual arrangements in England. We share the frustration and anger of the profession that the Government have not made public what is happening from tomorrow. As Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the British Dental Association's General Dental Practice Committee has said: "The PM said he wanted the NHS to be a 'better place' for dentists. What we're seeing instead is a level of disrespect afforded to no other part of our health service. We have been urging reasonable notice repeatedly in our discussions with NHS England but once again we're in the same place."

We have argued strongly against an increase in the current 60% threshold and in favour of changes to other elements of the arrangements, such as the abatement. We have made this point repeatedly to NHS England on your behalf, and indeed have emphasised the need for reasonable notice over the last six months, again and again. This delay is unacceptable. As soon as we know more about future contractual arrangements, we will update you and advise you on the detail of the new provisions.

09:29

England: Deadline for SAS contract decision is today

SAS dentists who wish to move to one of the new SAS contracts must express interest by the end of the day today. NHS Employers in England has updated its guidance in light of the recent pay award of 3% through the DDRB process. SAS dentists may find the documents useful in their decision making about the transition to one of the new contracts. Once this deadline has passed, the right to transfer to one of the new contracts may end so if you are interested do reach out. The British Medical Association has more information on the transition process.

Wednesday 29 September 2021

13:46

UK: CMOs back water fluoridation

All four UK Chief Medical Officers have highlighted the benefits of water fluoridation in reducing tooth decay in a new joint statement.

In their statement, the four UK CMOs recognise water fluoridation should be seen as a complementary strategy, and not a substitute for regular dental check-ups and other effective methods of increasing fluoride use. We support this joined-up approach in which tried and tested policies like water fluoridation and supervised tooth brushing in early years settings are expanded, with parallel effort applied to rebuilding high street dental services.

Public Health England modelling shows water fluoridation more than pays for itself in the medium term, owing to a reduction in treatment need. £1 spent equates to £12.71 savings in five years, rising to £21.98 over ten years. We have stressed that upfront investment by Government is vital to unlocking these benefits.

Community water fluoridation is a safe and effective public health intervention that should be part of a package of measures to improve dental health where it is technically feasible and appropriate for local needs. The Health and Care Bill, currently before Parliament, is set to simplify the rollout of the policy in England. 

Around 5.8 million people in England receive fluoridated water, the lion's share artificially added, but in some locations the appropriate level exists naturally within local water supplies.

Our Chair Eddie Crouch said:

"Every dentist will thank the CMOs for recognising the lasting benefits water fluoridation could bring to the nation's oral health. However, these gains are purely theoretical without upfront investment. Spending here will pay for itself, and Ministers need to show they are willing to seize the moment."

12:10

BDA Benevolent Fund: London marathon 2021

This Sunday, 100,000 people will be taking part in the biggest marathon ever staged in the world, by running in London and all over the country. We're pleased to see dentists and a dental student are taking part to fundraise on behalf of the BDA Benevolent Fund, a charity supporting dentists and dental students living in the UK who are in financial hardship.

They’re hoping to raise £8,000 this year. Can you help?

“This is my first marathon and every penny that anybody donates will be hugely appreciated by me and the charity I am supporting.” – Dr Helen Reddington

“I can't wait to get going with training in full flow and I look forward to all your help and support in sponsoring me for what is a fantastic cause and organisation!” - Dr. Zayd Rawoot

“I am a dental student currently studying at King's College London... I would appreciate your help in raising some money for such an amazing charity.” - Ronan Lee

11:01

Upcoming deadline for ARF instalments

Dentists can now opt in to pay their Annual Retention Fee (ARF) by instalments and spread the cost over the course of a year. But if you want to, you’ll need to let the GDC know before the renewal period opens on 31 October. To make the change:

• Login via your eGDC account and select the quarterly Direct Debit
• If you choose this option, the GDC will collect four quarterly payments of £170
• For those on a specialist list, the annual fee of £72 per speciality, will be collected in the first Direct Debit.

09:09

CPD: Equality, diversity and inclusion

No one should be negatively affected by uncontrollable factors such as ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, class or disability. That’s why, we’re encouraging members to sign up for our new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training course this Inclusion Week.

Inclusion is about making sure that everyone has the same opportunities to achieve in life. The perspectives and insight provided by this course may support you and your practice to be more consciously inclusive, considerate and respectful of diversity.

• Availability: BDA members
• Content: Modules, quizzes and short videos
• 4.5 verifiable hours CPD.

Tuesday 28 September 2021

13:10

Wales: New mental health survey

Our new mental health survey looks at how the last six months of the pandemic has affected the profession in Wales. Please take part by Monday 25 October 2021, whether you feel the pandemic has or hasn't affected your mental health. Your opinions will help us to improve the mental health provision for dentists working in Wales.

This work follows on from a survey that we sent out in January 2021 which addressed the extent to which dentists felt their mental health had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this survey have been published in BDJ In Practice, with a full research paper to be published in the BDJ later this year. The results have also been presented at the CDS Joint Forum and the Welsh Dental Committee.

12:16

England: Latest edition of Delivering Better Oral Health

Public Health England has published the latest edition of Delivering Better Oral Health (DBOH), an evidence-based toolkit to support dental teams in improving their patients’ oral and general health.

We endorse DBOH as a thorough and evidence-based guide to prevention. However, we have raised some key concerns about the feasibility of implementing the advice. This is particularly in regard to our concern that the existing NHS dental contract arrangements, and the additional pressures due to the pandemic, may present overwhelming barriers to its delivery in practice.

We hope that implementation of the full document will be seen as guidance, rather than an expectation.

We will continue to raise the issues being faced by practices during these challenging times.

10:04

England: Mandatory vaccinations for dentists and staff visiting care homes

From 11 November 2021, it will be mandatory for dentists and staff visiting care homes to be fully vaccinated. New rules will require all CQC-regulated care homes in England to refuse entry to anybody who cannot provide evidence that they have had two doses approved COVID-19 vaccine, or that they have a specified exemption.

This will include any visiting dentists and staff and evidence of vaccination status should be provided via the NHS app or the NHS COVID pass via the NHS website. Any exemption must satisfy the responsible person at the care home that, for clinical reasons, the visiting dentist/member of staff should not be vaccinated with any authorised vaccine and the Department of Health has agreed an exemption on a temporary basis.

People working in care homes who have a medical reason why they are unable to have a COVID-19 vaccine will need to temporarily self-certify that they meet the medical exemption criteria.
 
See our FAQs for more information.

09:01

Nominations are now open!

Nominations are now open for places on our committees and board. We have vacancies across a whole range of our committees as well as on our board of directors.

This year, we have also created specific early career seats on several committees, including key contract negotiating committees in each of the four UK nations.

Everyone is welcome. Find out which committees have open seats and put yourself forward with a brief statement about yourself.

Monday 27 September 2021

16:09

New resources on inclusion available via our library

To mark Inclusion Week we want to share a collection of online resources available from our library. We have new books concerning equality, diversity and inclusion that include:

• Building an inclusive organization : Leveraging the power of a diverse workforce
• Diversity intelligence : How to create a culture of inclusion for your business
• Economic case for LGBT equality: Why fair and equal treatment benefits us
• Everyday sexism
• It's time to talk about race at work : Every leader's guide to making progress on diversity, equality, and inclusion

To book any of these resources members can email library@bda.org or telephone us on 020 7563 4545 to request a password.

13:54

England: Unacceptable lack of clarity on NHS thresholds

We have strongly criticised the Government for failing to provide clarity on the NHS contractual arrangements set to commence on Friday 1 October 2021.

Funding for NHS high street dentists has been subject to imposed activity thresholds from 1 January 2021, which obliged contract holders to hit a threshold of 45% of pre-COVID activity, or face financial penalties. This rose to 60% from 1 April. At every step, dentists have been given last minute notification to prepare for radical changes in their working model.

This approach has been widely criticised as setting perverse incentives to prioritise routine over urgent care – or 'volume over need' – with a large proportion of practices still struggling to hit targets in the face of COVID restrictions.

This approach is wholly at odds with comments from the Prime Minister made just last week, when he stressed "we want the NHS to be a better place for the dental profession." As Shawn Charlwood, Chair of the British Dental Association's General Dental Practice Committee has said:

10:36

Northern Ireland: Health and Social Care reform underway

We have responded to two major consultations from the Department of Health in the past fortnight. Both consultations have a significant impact on Health and Social Care (HSC) reform ahead of the closure of the Health and Social Care Board next March.

The first deals with the creation of a new Independent Appeal Process for Family Practitioner Services, including GDS, while the second consultation centres on a proposed new Integrated Care System (ICS) commissioning model. Here’s what you need to know.

09:33

Scotland: Shaping the health agenda

Last week the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee invited witnesses representing NHS stakeholders to provide evidence to help shape their agenda for the next five years.

GDP Donald Morrison from BDA Scotland gave evidence on behalf of the dental profession and outlined the challenges facing dentists and patients in Scotland. He explained that NHS dental services in Scotland were “broken” and “not fit for purpose”, as he appealed to the Committee to include dentistry and oral health in their programme of work. Watch Donald’s evidence and find out more.