Wednesday 1 June 2022
18:21
Jubilee weekend opening hours
The four-day UK bank holiday weekend from 2 June to 5 June 2022 marks Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Our offices will be closed over the bank holiday weekend, but if you require urgent advice our team will be monitoring emails. Please send advice queries to
advice.enquiries@bda.org.
Some member services may also be intermittently affected this weekend, as we carry out system updates.
Congratulations to Your Majesty from all of us at the BDA and we wish you all a wonderful weekend.
18:15
England:
New guidelines do not mark return to 'Business as Usual'
Following the withdrawal of Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance last week, new guidance has been published, with just minutes to spare ahead of the bank holiday weekend.
New arrangements remove certain obligations like physical distancing, but do not represent a return to 'business as usual' in dentistry. Practices will still have to comply with much of recent guidance, including maintaining screening, triaging and separate pathways and approaches for patients with symptoms of respiratory infection.
New guidance understandably places an emphasis on ensuring practices have adequate ventilation, and England remains the only UK nation that has failed to provide capital funding to help dentists increase patient numbers. The need for adequate PPE is underlined, but private practices remain excluded from the government portal.
We are seeing what the 'new normal' looks like in a post-pandemic world, where all practices will continue to face real burdens, without corresponding government support. We will keep you updated and will advise members on the implications of this new guidance.
17:58
Northern Ireland: Dental practice annual governance returns 2021/22
All practices are required to make their Quality Assurance Return relating to 2021/2022 to GDS. Correspondence by 30 June 2022. This letter outlines the process. You must add your
practice number and locality in the subject line when submitting via email.
The SPPG (formerly HSCB) expects practices to have in place policies and procedures
in relation to:
- Complaints
- Adverse Incidents
- Controlled Drugs
- MDS Documents & Safety Alerts
- Safety Notices
- GDC Standards for the Dental Team
- Training in Medical Emergencies
- IV Sedation
- COVID-19 Guidance
- Business Continuity Plans
The practice principal or lead dentist should complete in full the Quality Assurance Return on behalf of the practice by the end of this month.
14:41
Library: eBooks to support your wellbeing
Our online library offers a wide range of eBook titles, including wellness books that can help you take care of your mental and physical health. Read:
If you are experiencing stress at work, we also encourage you to make use of the
UK-wide resources available to help you manage stress. Whether you want advice, counselling or simply a listening ear, there are many services available to support your mental health and wellbeing.
Tuesday 31 May 2022
12:39
New guidance to control monkeypox transmission
The UK's four nations have issued
new guidance to support healthcare professionals in response to the outbreak of monkeypox. This includes new measures aimed at managing the disease and preventing further spread now that community transmission is occurring in the UK.
The updated guidance states that:
- People with possible, probable, or confirmed monkeypox should avoid contact with others
- Contacts of someone with monkeypox will also be risk assessed and told to isolate for 21 days if necessary
- Where possible, pregnant and immunosuppressed healthcare workers should not care for individuals with suspected or confirmed monkeypox
- The minimum recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff working with confirmed cases includes fit tested FFP3 respirators, aprons, eye protection and gloves
- The minimum PPE for staff working with possible or probable cases includes fluid repellent surgical facemasks (FRSM), gowns, gloves, and eye protection.
UKHSA is working to support resilience in the healthcare system during the upcoming period and we will keep you updated with any further guidance.
Monday 30 May 2022
09:38
Infection prevention and control guidance
The UK Health Security Agency Guidance on Infection Prevention and Control, including the
dental appendix, has been withdrawn. The dental appendix previously set out advice on screening patients and the respiratory/non-respiratory dual pathway approach.
We are anticipating updated operational guidance to be issued shortly.
08:24
Advice: one-to-one advice available for Extra and Expert members
Did you know, if you're an Extra or Expert member you have access to unlimited one-to-one advice via phone or email from our team of experienced advisors?
With more than 70 years of advising dentists, our advisors are experts in the laws, contracts, and regulations of dentistry. If you're facing complex issues, we will pair you with an advisor who will handle your advice on a one-to-one basis.
Expert membership also gives you and your team all the policies, templates, and checklists you need to manage a safe, efficient and compliant practice.
For more information on one-to-one advice, contact our Practice support team on 020 7563 4574 or email:
advice.enquiries@bda.org.
Not a member?
Join today.
