The latest news and blogs from the BDA

THE LATEST

News articles

Misleading emails about data protection officer requirements

Dental practices are receiving emails containing inaccurate claims about data protection officer requirements and NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit compliance.

England: Service not on ‘road to recovery’

Unmet need for NHS dentistry remains at near record highs.

Penny pinching on dental academia will undermine workforce plans

Planned cuts to funding for clinical academics could have severe knock-on effects on the ability to train the next generation of dentists.

England: Don’t let minsters mark their own homework on dentistry

We are urging MPs to drop government plans to abolish Healthwatch England.

England: Care pathways come with disproportionate burden

We have warned the profession that the administrative, reporting and clinical requirements involved in delivering Complex Care Pathways (CCPs) are disproportionate and risk making the new payment tariffs unattractive. 

England: Government exempt quality improvement and appraisals from uplifts

Officials take a pick-and-mix approach to supporting contract holders.

Ham-fisted reform rollout to undermine patient care

Software suppliers raise red flags over practicalities ahead of the new NHS Dental Services Portal launch.

Northern Ireland: How low can you go?

Registration crash shows writing on wall for Health Service dentistry.

700 days on: What has happened to the Governments promise to ban energy drink sales to children

Children are still able to buy sugary, acidic, high caffeine drinks – and do so at an alarming rate.

Shawn Charlwood awarded MBE

We are delighted to report that Shawn Charlwood has been awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to dentistry in the King’s Birthday Honours.

LDC delegates demand Government action following controversial reforms

A series of urgent calls for reform took centre stage at the Local Dental Committees (LDC) Annual Conference in Manchester (4–5 June).

England: DPH workforce - Concessions, but deep cuts remain

We’ve secured some reductions in the level of cuts to the Dental Public Health (DPH) workforce, but these concessions don’t do enough to protect this strategically essential function.

More news

THE LATEST

Blog posts

Complex Care Pathways: A step forward, but key concerns remain

The principle of Complex Care Pathways is clinically sound, but concerns around funding, risk, and administration mean the model is not yet fully workable.

Early cracks in the 2026 General Dental Services contract

Six months into the changes to the General Dental Services (GDS) contract, growing feedback from practices across Wales suggests that challenges around patient access, administration, technology, and implementation are causing increasing pressure.

Good Practice helps ambitious dentists be the best they can be

Patrick Rea, Principal Dentist at Sandown Dental and Implant Clinic, shares how structure, efficiency, and strong team working form the foundations of a positive work environment and excellent patient care.

How NHS tie-ins could backfire on dentistry in England

Jeremy Boyles, Chair of the Young Dentists Committee, and Nyah Patel, Chair of the BDSA on why tying future dental students to the NHS won't fix a broken system.

Complex Care Pathways: To choose or not to choose - that is the dento-legal question

Member exclusive - As Complex Care Pathways take hold in practice, Len D’Cruz explores the emerging dento‑legal questions, clarifying whether their use is truly optional or a decision carrying wider professional implications.

Understanding retention in associate contracts

When an associate leaves a practice, one of the most common areas of confusion is the retention amount held back by the practice.

Change at the top and reform at risk

If we do not see urgency, stability and funding from Government, then NHS dentistry may not have a future.

How to get the probationary period right in line with the Employment Rights Act changes

The new law means that taking decisive action with new starters is more important than ever.

Driving sustainability in dentistry

Mick Armstrong, BDA Health and Science Committee Chair, looks at the role dentistry has to play in reducing environmental impact, while improving the oral health of the population.

How Accredited Representative training taught us to raise our collective voice on workplace issues

Andrew Baird, Dental Officer, reflects on his Accredited Representative training

Should dental practices use AI?

Vanessa Pirga, Acting Head of Operations in Advisory Services, shares her thoughts on the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and why, despite its growing presence across every industry, it isn’t always the right solution.

The trend of AI-drafted grievances in dental practices

Complex documents at the outset rather than an informal discussion can be stressful if you do not have the appropriate support.

More blogs

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THE LATEST

News articles

Misleading emails about data protection officer requirements

England: Service not on ‘road to recovery’

Penny pinching on dental academia will undermine workforce plans

England: Don’t let minsters mark their own homework on dentistry

England: Care pathways come with disproportionate burden

England: Government exempt quality improvement and appraisals from uplifts

Ham-fisted reform rollout to undermine patient care

Northern Ireland: How low can you go?

700 days on: What has happened to the Governments promise to ban energy drink sales to children

Shawn Charlwood awarded MBE

LDC delegates demand Government action following controversial reforms

England: DPH workforce - Concessions, but deep cuts remain

THE LATEST

Blog posts

Complex Care Pathways: A step forward, but key concerns remain

Early cracks in the 2026 General Dental Services contract

Good Practice helps ambitious dentists be the best they can be

How NHS tie-ins could backfire on dentistry in England

Complex Care Pathways: To choose or not to choose - that is the dento-legal question

Understanding retention in associate contracts

Change at the top and reform at risk

How to get the probationary period right in line with the Employment Rights Act changes

Driving sustainability in dentistry

How Accredited Representative training taught us to raise our collective voice on workplace issues

Should dental practices use AI?

The trend of AI-drafted grievances in dental practices

Making a difference for dentistry

Shawn Charlwood awarded MBE