Latest Blog Posts

• What’s it like being a... clinical mentor, associate dentist and safeguarding lead? Trisha Patel

  Trisha Patel is an associate dentist at a large, six-surgery practice in Newham. Part of her role includes mentoring dentists from overseas and having the responsibility for being the safeguarding lead in her dental practice. She tells about her day...

  Blog Date 15 October, 2019

• BDA Scottish Dental Conference 2019: updates from the world of clinical dentistry

  If you missed it, here are some of the highlights from our Scottish Dental Conference and Exhibition in September.

  Blog Date 15 October, 2019

• What can the GDC do to change the fear younger dentists feel?

  From her perspective as a dentist practising in Wales, Lauren Harrhy reflects on what the GDC can do to help ensure younger dentists aren't so afraid of their regulatory organisation, and feels there is hope for change.

  Blog Date 15 October, 2019

• Periodontal disease management - advice on the risks associated

  50% of the world's population suffers from periodontitis so it is vital that we continue to study the disease and promote awareness.

  Blog Date 14 October, 2019

• Do younger dentists see the value in getting politically engaged? The view from LDCs

  Leah Farrell looks at the survey responses from LDC representatives on whether they are succeeding in getting younger dentists interested in dental politics and representative roles. She feels the responses are encouraging, and says the LDC Agenda Committee will continue to work on supporting younger dentists to take part.

  Blog Date 9 October, 2019

• Has the GDC finally turned a corner? Annual Retention Fee reduced by a quarter

  The reduction in the GDC's Annual Retention Fee is welcome news, but our regulator still has a way to go in rebuilding the confidence of the dental profession, says Mick Armstrong.

  Blog Date 8 October, 2019

• What’s it like being a... head dental nurse? Amy Meier

  Amy Meier is head dental nurse for a four-surgery corporate dental practice in Warminster. Her typical day is busy juggling administrative and clinical work, as well as mentoring two student dental nurses.

  Blog Date 8 October, 2019

• Five top tips for using social media for student dentists

  Some top tips on using social media, from one our new BDA Social Media representatives, Komal Chopra.

  Blog Date 4 October, 2019

• What’s it like being a... practice manager in an NHS practice? Sheena McCormick

  ​Sheena McCormick is a practice manager for a busy NHS mixed dental practice in Buckinghamshire, based over two sites. She tells us how she manages to juggle managing a large team, as well as working on NHS procurement tenders, to ensure the business continues to thrive.

  Blog Date 4 October, 2019

• Time for commissioners to step up on care for vulnerable dental patients

  Dave Cottam and Charlotte Waite assess the news that the CQC has stated that oral health will finally feature in inspection criteria from 1 October. Will care homes be able to meet these criteria and is enough domiciliary care dentistry commissioned to help support the growing need?

  Blog Date 3 October, 2019

• Clunky IT sums up failure to invest in Scottish dentistry

  We leapt at the chance to make our case to Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee, as they held a much-needed inquiry into what the ‘next generation’ of primary care should look like.

  Blog Date 3 October, 2019

• NHS dentistry in the spotlight: AMs debate a failed contract

  We continued to highlight the failure of the NHS dental contract in Wales at a recent Welsh Assembly plenary session this week, as AMs highlighted the impact the lack of investment in dentistry is having on patients and the profession.

  Blog Date 3 October, 2019

• MPs back our calls to sweep away 'Dogs breakfast' NHS dental patient fines system

  We're pleased the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has backed our calls for nothing less than wholesale reform of a system they've dubbed "unfit for purpose", but we still need to keep up fight for a fair and focused system that works for dentists and our patients, argues community dentist, Charlotte Waite.

  Blog Date 3 October, 2019

• Is your dental practice software secure? Windows 7 no longer supported

  News that hundreds of dental practices in America were hit with ransomware recently, is a timely reminder of the importance of keeping your virus and security software up to date.

  Blog Date 30 September, 2019

• What’s it like being a... private dentist with a passion for reducing sugar consumption? James Goolnik

  James Goolnik is the founder and principal dentist at Bow Lane Dental Group in London and has recently channelled his entrepreneurial skills into a new charity called the 'Rewards Project', which challenges the idea of using sugary foods or drinks as a treat for children (and adults!), weaning people off sugar and encouraging healthier alternatives.

  Blog Date 27 September, 2019

• What’s it like being a... dental academic clinical fellow? Amaar Hassan

  ​Amaar Hassan has recently taken on a new role as an academic clinical fellow at the St Helens and Knowsley NHS Teaching Hospitals. He explains his role and why he's passionate about doing research.

  Blog Date 24 September, 2019

• Dental students: confidential support if you are feeling under pressure

  Feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of dental school? You are not alone, nearly half of dental students say they have experienced stress or psychological distress at some point over their course. BDSA President Erin Jaffray talks about the free and completely confidential new service being offered to dental students by the BDA through Health Assured, to help you through the more challenging times.

  Blog Date 23 September, 2019

• Special care dentistry: advice on the risks associated

  Practising dentistry in the UK, you will encounter many different types of patients requiring special care. From patients needing a wheelchair, to patients with early stages of dementia. Whatever the case may be, it is important to understand the risks related.

  Blog Date 23 September, 2019

• Safeguarding children: a new tool to help all dental teams

  Safeguarding our child and young patients can be challenging. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell if a child is at risk of harm and cases continue to be highlighted in the media that demonstrate failures in health social care safeguarding systems and procedures. So, a team of community dentists have developed a tool to help dental teams take a consistent approach to missed appointments.

  Blog Date 13 September, 2019

• Is your LDC ready for change? Getting younger dentists involved

  Local Dental Committees (LDCs) are a crucial force for positive change in the profession – we need to ensure that younger dentist are getting involved and engaged in dental politics, and we’re asking for your help to ensure there is a brighter future for all dentists.

  Blog Date 12 September, 2019