Latest Blog Posts

• The increasing popularity of orthodontic treatments

  Like many areas of practice, orthodontic treatments are a popular specialism requiring knowledge and time to perfect clinical skills.

  Blog Date 18 September, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Progress being made on Dental Core Trainee pay

  We explore how the establishment of the new Northern Ireland Hospital Dental Forum has helped push for much-needed progress on key issues such as Dental Core Trainee pay.

  Blog Date 15 September, 2023

• How associate contracts can offer independence

  Associates are self-employed. Self-employed people have freedom and independence. They control how work is carried out and have influence over their earnings.

  Blog Date 14 September, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Securing the future of dental training

  The block grant model of payment for Educational Supervisors in Northern Ireland will continue for 23/24. We explore how this was made possible, and why it is so important to have a sustainable remuneration model for the future of dentistry.

  Blog Date 13 September, 2023

• What to expect from life at dental school

  University life comes with its stresses. It is important for dental students to learn how to manage the pressures of longer academic terms, clinical hours, personal development modules, and hitting treatment targets.

  Blog Date 5 September, 2023

• Dentists told to prop up NHS out of own pockets

  With a derisory uplift, the Government has sent its clearest signal to date that it is unwilling to pay the price for NHS dentistry.

  Blog Date 5 September, 2023

• Mind the gap: NHS dentistry faces continued uncertainty

  As funding continues to fail to keep up with costs, practices have been forced to reduce their NHS capacity and faith in the future of NHS dentistry is a rapidly diminishing resource. The gap between the reality of running a practice and the fees provided by our underfunded, outdated contract is widening and NHS dentistry is rapidly losing talented practitioners.

  Blog Date 16 August, 2023

• Beyond the SDR: Your future in dentistry

  Ahead of our Life Beyond the SDR event, Kevin Lewis previews the day which aims to empower you to take control of your career in dentistry.

  Blog Date 15 August, 2023

• Dyslexia in dentistry

  ​One in five people in the UK are affected by dyslexia to some degree. As the most common learning difficulty, it is likely you are either working alongside someone with dyslexia or may be dyslexic yourself.

  Blog Date 15 August, 2023

• Court ruling impacts on alternative treatment options

  Over the years, the concept of consent has not changed. Providing treatment without consent is still deemed unlawful and can be considered as battery.

  Blog Date 21 July, 2023

• PM and DDRB in agreement, but will dentists get essential pay rise?

  We have petitioned the Department of Health (DoH) to tell dentists in Northern Ireland if they will – or will not – get a pay increase for 2023-24 in line with colleagues in the rest of the UK.

  Blog Date 18 July, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Action urged on Community Dentist workforce issues

  BDA NI representatives met with Department officials on 7 June for an important exchange at the NI Joint Negotiating Forum to discuss urgent action to address a range of issues impacting heavily on the CDS.

  Blog Date 5 July, 2023

• How to find the best recruitment agency for your practice

  Recruitment agencies can provide an indispensable service when finding staff becomes difficult. We examine how to avoid the pitfalls and pick the right agency for your practice.

  Blog Date 14 June, 2023

• The difference between occurrence-based and claims-made indemnity

  Choosing the wrong indemnity cover can potentially leave a practitioner seriously out of pocket.

  Blog Date 13 June, 2023

• Scotland: I cannot carry the workload of three dentists

  A practice owner explains why they have written to their MSPs to ask for urgent support to keep NHS dentistry in Scotland afloat.

  Blog Date 17 May, 2023

• Inappropriate behaviour and harassment in the workplace

  Sexual harassment in the workplace is against the law. We look at prevention and how to navigate formal complaints.

  Blog Date 12 May, 2023

• Topping up NHS charges with private fees accepted in Appeal Court decision

  NHS regulations were in the dock recently. Len D’Cruz and Kevin Lewis examine the decisions and outcomes.

  Blog Date 11 May, 2023

• Choosing your path in dentistry

  The career opportunities opened by pursuing a dental degree have never been greater. But when leaving dental school for the next stage of training in NHS general practice, it can be hard to imagine or even be aware of the wealth of options available.

  Blog Date 4 May, 2023

• BDA President: Tackling oral health inequalities is key

  Newly installed BDA President John Milne tells us what he hopes to achieve during his year and how you can help by getting involved.

  Blog Date 3 May, 2023

• How can dentistry manage sleep conditions?

  It’s estimated that over 1.5 million people in the UK suffer from sleep disordered breathing such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. We examine how dentists can support patients.

  Blog Date 2 May, 2023

• We need more than 'pledges': Action needed on NHS dentistry

  This service will only survive with fair funding and real reform.

  Blog Date 27 April, 2023

• NHS dentistry: What future is there if dentists can’t pay the bills?

  ​Early career dentist Cameron Law explains why he has taken time to ask his MP to attend the upcoming debate on NHS dentistry in Parliament – and urges you to take action too.

  Blog Date 24 April, 2023

• Wales: Our mandate for GDS contract negotiation

  Our mandate lays out our terms for negotiation and the elements that need to be covered in a new General Dentistry Service (GDS) contract.

  Blog Date 20 April, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Connecting at CDS Study days

  The CDS Group, Northern Ireland Division, hosted their Annual Study Day on 23 March.

  Blog Date 19 April, 2023

• Why I’m on the picket line with junior doctors and dentists

  As a Dental Core Trainee in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, it has been heartening to have the BDA stand by us and call for the government to issue complete pay restoration for junior doctors and dentists in conjunction with our medical colleagues and the BMA.

  Blog Date 14 April, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Representing hospital dentists

  A new BDA NI Hospital Dental Services Forum met for the first time on 24 February.

  Blog Date 6 April, 2023

• Wales: Introduction of new GDS data capture systems

  We continue to argue for more accurate data to evidence the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ of NHS General Dental Services (GDS). This was made clear in our evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee’s consultation on dentistry.

  Blog Date 4 April, 2023

• How to get involved in the BDSA

  During the British Dental Students’ Association (BDSA) Council and BDA Students Committee meeting held last October, the Council agreed that the 2022-23 goals of the BDSA would focus on fostering better relationships.

  Blog Date 4 April, 2023

• Loneliness and isolation as a cause of stress in dentistry

  We explore how dentists can use resources to combat loneliness and cope with isolation along with the long-term health effects it can cause.

  Blog Date 30 March, 2023

• Northern Ireland: Applying for a Dental Foundation Training Number on the grounds of 'Equivalence'

  ​Dentists can make an application for a Dental Foundation Training Number on the grounds of 'equivalence.' Typically, this is the route a non-European Union dentist takes to join the General Dental Health Service in Northern Ireland.

  Blog Date 23 March, 2023