Improved Access To NHS Dentistry Has Led To Poorer Quality, UK
New findings from Simplyhealth's Annual Dental Survey 2011 show that access to NHS dentistry has improved at the expense of quality. More than half (54%) of the UK population has experienced change in dental services in the past four years. A reduction in quality of treatment and lower levels of NHS cover are cited as the main reasons. The Simplyhealth study of 10, 000 UK respondents shows that although fewer people are now struggling to find an NHS dentist (from 39% to 29%), 18% say the NHS doesn't cover as much as it used to.
Gum Disease Linked To Anaemia
A new study suggests that severe gum disease (chronic periodontitis) may cause a reduction in red blood cells and haemoglobin leading to the blood disorder anaemia. The research, published in the Journal of Periodontology (1), found that over a third of people suffering from severe gum disease had haemoglobin levels below normal concentrations. Following a six month course of treatment to improve their oral health, all patients had improved levels of red blood cells, haemoglobin and all other clinical measures used to assess the health of the blood.
'Uplift' Is Really A Pay Cut, Warns BDA, UK
The Department of Health's announcement today of just a 0.5 per cent increase in contract values for general dental practitioners in England for 2011/12 is a pay cut that will negatively affect their ability to invest in patient care, the British Dental Association (BDA) has warned. The BDA demonstrated in its evidence to the Department of Health that expenses in dental practice are increasing sharply, but that warning has been disregarded, the BDA has said. Dentists are also being asked to implement new best practice guidance for preventing oral disease in children in support of the Government's aim of reducing levels of oral disease in younger patients.