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Your NHS dentistry and oral health update
Friday 4 June 2021
An update from Sara Hurley, Chief Dental Officer England
Dear colleague,
As restrictions are eased, I hope that you are now getting some time to spend with your friends and family. The last year has thrown a lot at us all, and many of us have lost loved ones. We are not out of this pandemic yet, but the success of the NHS vaccination programme and the sacrifices of the nation are helping us through.
Following continued extensive clinical and scientific review, no changes to the national infection prevention control recommendations, including PPE, have been made in response to the new variant strains at this stage, however this position remains under constant review.
As some of you will have seen, the Care Quality Commission and Healthwatch have published important reports on dentistry in the last few weeks. Restoring access in a safe and sustainable way is our profession's priority. I know how hard everyone is working to do this and I am grateful for your continued dedication in tough times.
The NHS team has produced a number of social media cards for you to use to promote access and help explain the current situation on clinical prioritisation to your patients and communities, which I know at times can be challenging.
I am pleased that the 'Diversity in Dentistry Action Group' has published its report into our profession. Hosted by the Faculty of General Dental Practice, this report is a call to action - please do read it and reflect on how your organisation can fight for change.
I also want to welcome Anna Ireland, our new National Lead for Dental Public Health at Public Health England who replaces Sandra White. I wish Sandra all the best for her retirement and look forward to working with Anna.
With best wishes,
Sara
What do you want to hear from Sara Hurley?
On Saturday 12th June Chief Dental Officer Sara Hurley is delighted to be addressing the Local Dental Committees Annual conference. Sara would love to hear from you on what you would like to hear from her if you are attending.
Is there a part of the Standard Operating Procedure that doesn't make sense to you? Is there a way we treat patients you think needs to change? Is there a part of NHS dentistry you think needs to be shouted about and praised more? Let Sara know what you think by clicking on the button below to email her.
The Office of the Chief Dental Officer will endeavor to reply but due to volume this may not always be possible.
NHS campaign 'Help Us Help You': Dental social media cards
We have produced a handy set of social media cards which practices are welcome to use to help explain to patients how to access NHS dentistry. We have included a suggested post beneath each card. You can post the cards by simply saving them from this bulletin, or you can access them online here.
If you need urgent dental care and do not have a usual dentist, contact NHS 111 online or by phone. 111.nhs.uk #HelpUsHelpYou
Contact your dental practice by phone or email for advice. If your teeth and gums are healthy, your check-up may not be needed for up to 24 months. Dentists are seeing patients in order of priority. #HelpUsHelpYou
Dentists are working hard to provide care safely. Contact them by phone or email first. Please do not visit your dental practice unless you’ve been advised to. There may be longer waiting times for some services. #HelpUsHelpYou
If you think you need dental care, contact your dental practice by phone or online to get advice. An appointment will be arranged if appropriate. Please only visit your dentist if you have a booked appointment. #HelpUsHelpYou
Supporting staff to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
The NHS has always benefited from committed, and talented health staff both trained here in Britain and those who have chosen to work here from abroad. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens form an integral and vital part of the health and care family, and your skills and compassionate care directly benefit patients, families and communities.
There are less than 30 days left to apply to the the EU Settlement Scheme, which is open to all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK until 30 June 2021. The Settlement Scheme will allow EU, EEA and Swiss citizens to continue to live and work in the UK beyond June 2021, meaning they will not need to apply for visas when the new immigration system takes effect. The scheme will also lock in the rights of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, meaning they will be able to access healthcare, benefits and other government services in the same way they currently do.
It is important to remember that an application must be made for every eligible child within a family. Parents should check if they need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme for their children, even if they have already applied and been granted a status themselves.
If an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen and their family members have lived in the UK for many years or have a permanent residence document or EEA Biometric Residence Card (BRC), they still need to apply to the EUSS (or apply for British citizenship) by 30 June 2021 to continue to live and work in the UK.
For further support, see NHS Employers’ toolkit Preparing for the EU Settlement Scheme application deadline, and the Home Office EU Settlement scheme: introduction for employers toolkit.
Important updates from the NHS Business Services Authority
The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has issued it's May bulletin with important information on many contractual matters, including:
The Annual Reconciliation Report (ARR) process is now available in Compass. All providers and performers are required by law to confirm their Net Pensionable Earnings (NPE) for the 2020/21 financial year by 23:59 on 30 June 2020.
As you'll know it is a mandatory requirement for GDS/PDS contracts to submit a year end declaration for 2020-21. Your year-end declaration eForm letter is now available in Compass. NHS England has extended the deadline for submission until 23:59 on Monday 14 June 2021. Final reminders will be sent out to practices.
Equality, diversity and inclusion within dentistry
The Faculty of General Dental Practice has published the DDAG's report, Equality, diversity and inclusion within dentistry - a profession-wide commitment, which sets out the group’s aims, plans, recommendations and over 20 suggested actions, and represents an unprecedented joint commitment by the stakeholder organisations to the key principles for change under which the suggested actions are grouped:
- Working together to address inequalities and increase diversity in dentistry
- Ongoing improvement through constant enquiry, investigation and learning
- Creating a positive open learning culture across the profession and organisations which develops understanding and supports people to embrace diversity and inclusion
- Exploring and developing opportunities for representation and inclusion
- Actively committing to addressing racism and discrimination
- Organisational commitment to change at all levels
- Embracing workforce diversity
The group is supported by a wide range of stakeholders in dentistry and is chaired by Dr. Nishma Sharma:
"Racism has no place in our society. End of. The dental profession must be part of the change we all need, to step up and stamp out prejudice, and to build diverse and supportive cultures of respect and fairness for all. The action plan is a distillation of the key themes. It heralds the necessary challenge for change and the joint collaboration that will continue to conversation and conversion of a profession respected for inclusivity and for developing talent wherever it’s found, with the goal of delivering excellence in healthcare."
Introducing Anna Ireland, our new National Dental Public Health Lead
Congratulations to Anna Ireland, the new National Lead for Dental Public Health at Public Health England who commenced her new role on the 1st May 2021. Sandra White retired at the end of March and we wish her well.
Anna qualified from the University of Dundee in 1990 and then spent 8 years working as a clinical dentist in Cornwall, completing vocational training and then working in NHS and private practices.
She also worked part-time as a Clinical Assistant in the hospital running a dental clinic for people with additional needs and medically compromised, for example HIV/AIDS.
In 1999 she moved to the South East to take up a post of Senior Dental Officer with the community dental service in Buckinghamshire/Milton Keynes becoming Assistant Clinical Director and then Clinical Director for the CDS. She completed her MFGDP and master’s in public health whilst working for the CDS and left the CDS in 2008 to take up a dental public health speciality training post. As a consultant she has worked in London, the South East and recently with the national dental public health team.
Anna is looking forward to building on the great work of the team in improving oral health and reducing inequalities across the life-course.
Disability Awareness in Dentistry webinar
As you may be aware Faculty of General Dental Practice/ College of General Dentistry hosted a webinar in March to promote disability awareness which addressed issues faced by patients, parents, carers and their families. The Faculty and CGDent also took the opportunity to highlight the challenges faced by colleagues with learning difficulties.
The Chief Dental Officer issued advice to the profession on learning disabilities and autism in a special focus bulletin last month.
Sedation in dentistry
The Chief Dental Officer is aware that there was some concern about the recent sedation guidance issued by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. The CDO has worked with the Academy and the guidance has been amended to include the clarification that dental sedationists practising in primary or secondary care settings should ensure that standards of practice are in accordance with those detailed in guidance published by the Intercollegiate Advisory Committee for Sedation in Dentistry (IACSD).
The Academy's guidance is intended for the use of hospitals and clinics in which sedation for non-dental procedures is given.
In particular, Sara Hurley would like to thank David Craig, Consultant and former head of sedation and special care dentistry, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust and Chief Dental Officer's Honorary Consultant, for his invaluable assistance.
Identifying and responding to sexual assault and abuse
In February, Chief Dental Officer Sara Hurley called on the dental profession to spot the signs of domestic abuse and help patients. In the NHS' special focus bulletin, Sara details the key advice and guidance for dental professionals on domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare and NHS England have developed an e-learning programme that provides information and advice for identifying and responding to sexual assault and abuse. This programme brings together numerous resources relating to the identification and response to rape, sexual assault and abuse, with learners able to access information, view videos and case studies and undertake self-assessments to support learning.
For more information about the e-learning programme, including details on how to access, please visit the Identifying and Responding to Sexual Assault and Abuse programme page.
Direct-to-consumer orthodontics
The General Dental Council (GDC) is aware of an increasing number of organisations offering services remotely, including ‘direct-to-consumer’ orthodontics using clear aligners. These services fall within the legal definition of dentistry so can only be performed by dentists and dental care professionals who are registered with the GDC. All dental professionals must adhere to the GDC’s Standards for the Dental Team. Anybody practising dentistry while not registered with the GDC could be subject to prosecution for illegal practice.
The GDC has published an updated statement on remote – direct-to-consumer orthodontics, with supporting guidance for dental professionals and information for the public.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): health, care and volunteer workers parking pass and concessions
Following the publication of the government’s road map for lifting COVID-19 restrictions, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced that the emergency parking pass will be withdrawn by 21 June 2021.
After this date, users will not be able to use the pass and may be liable to fines if they attempt to continue to use it. Local councils are responsible for setting their own local policy on parking. Therefore, current or potential pass holders are advised to contact their local council find out about any local plans for the future of the parking pass, or to check whether they are eligible for other local parking permits.
Important regulatory changes regarding the import or export of human tissues and cells between Great Britain and the European Economic Area (EEA): message from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA)
Regulatory changes came into effect following the end of the UK Transition Period. These changes affect establishments in Great Britain that import or export human tissues and cells from or to a country in the EEA for human application (patient treatment). This means you may require a HTA licence if you wish to continue these activities from 1 July 2021.
The regulatory changes do not apply to organisations in GB (England, Scotland and Wales) ordering human tissues and cells from HTA-licensed establishments within the UK.
The regulatory changes may affect establishments that previously did not require a HTA licence. Examples of human application include dentists and dental surgeons who use human bone, pericardium and dermal tissue products in dentistry.
If you think your establishment might be affected by these changes, please visit the HTA’s website for further information or contact the HTA directly for advice: enquiries@hta.gov.uk.
Please complete a short survey which will help the HTA determine which activities are impacted. The survey should take no longer than three minutes to complete.
By word of mouth ... the colleagues we're all talking about!
Gavin Brand is a qualified dental nurse working in a UDC general practice in Hertfordshire. He has kindly shared with us his perspective
"The last year has been a whirlwind. Being a part of a busy UDC and then opening up in June was difficult. Keeping up to date with the changes in regulation, the different way of working has been challenging. At the beginning we were quite nervous and worried. Luckily, the team was well lead and we were trained well on what we had to do. Wearing new PPE especially during the summer months had us sweating and answering calls to patients who wanted to be seen when we only had limited ability to do so again was difficult.
We have been working flat out since June to try and get as many patients safely seen as possible but due to all the changes including keeping people apart, fallow time and escorting patients in and out, we are still not how we used to be. However, I find smiling, keeping things light-hearted, working together as a team and making patients feel as comfortable as possible has to be the priority.
But I love what I do and hopefully the future will be brighter soon."
"Dental nurses are the unsung heroes of dentistry. Without their unfailing support, dentists would not be able to function. Dentistry is most definitely a team sport, and we often don't appreciate our nurses enough. Thank you for everything you do!"
Dr Rosie Winterburn BChD (Hons), Hertfordshire GDP
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Previous NHS dentistry and oral health bulletins
Previous bulletins can be accessed by clicking on the links below:
NHS primary care bulletin
The NHS primary care bulletin provides resources on health policy and practice and we encourage you to sign up for this, too. It is aimed at teams across general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy and optometry.
A reminder of the latest COVID-19 advice and guidance
NHS updates to the profession
Previous updates from the Chief Dental Officer and the NHS dentistry and oral health team are all online here.
Transition to Recovery: Dentistry's standard operating procedure
The latest version was published on Tuesday 3 February 2021 . Changes to the previous SOP are in yellow. You can read the SOP online here.
Urgent Dental Centres: Standard Operating Procedure
Changes to the previous SOP are in yellow. It was updated on Tuesday 3 February 2021 and is online here.
COVID-19: infection prevention and control dental guidance
The guidance is an appendix to and should be read in conjunction with the national guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19 . You can read the general guidance and the specialist dental appendix online here.