Industry News

The Industry news section helps keep you informed and up to date about what's happening in the dental profession. If you would like to share information in this section, please email your news releases to natalie@dentaltownuk.com.All material is subject to editing and space availability

Deprivation is Impacting Dental Care Received
Adults living in deprived areas are likely to receive worse dental care than those in less deprived areas, according to new research.

A study, published in the journal PLOS (Public Library of Science) One, has found that the type of dental care you receive could vary depending on your state of deprivation. Adults from highly deprived areas were less likely to receive prevention care and advice, and more likely to have a tooth extracted, compared to those from the least deprived areas.

A team of researchers from the Dental Institute at King's College London and the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy made the discovery. They examined data that covered a four-year period from 2008-2012, looking at individual factors. These factors include demography, smoking status and whether patients were exempt from paying for treatment. It also looked at contextual factors, such as deprivation based on area of residence, to identify factors that predict the types of dental treatment received.

They discovered that adults from the most deprived areas were more likely to receive a 'tooth extraction' when compared with least deprived areas and less likely to receive preventive 'instruction and advice'. There was also evidence of a higher rate of 'tooth extraction' among adults who were exempt payment, older (>65 years) and male. Smokers had a higher likelihood of receiving all treatments and were notably over four times more likely to receive 'instruction and advice' than non-smokers. The odds of receiving treatment also increased with age.

Co-author Professor Jenny Gallagher from King's College London said: "Our study provides evidence of an increasing need for treatment with age, smoking, exemption from payment and deprivation status, all of which have implications for health services planning and provision. The results provide a crucial insight into the provision and receipt of contemporary dental care, and should inform discussions on performance indicators that target priority groups such as smokers and future planning for our ageing population."

GC Launches Luting App
GC UK has launched a luting cement app alongside a magazine to 'help clinicians choose the optimal GC luting cement for each indication.'

The app was designed to give clinicians all the information they would need when luting. Or to put it in their own words: "provide the answers to all the key questions, enabling clinicians to select the most appropriate solution from their High Five for each individual clinical situation."

The app highlights all the main benefits of GC's luting products and how to use them, as well as covering topics like 'when to cement and when to bond.' It even details how to use GC's latest G-CEM LinkForce, which is dual-cure adhesive luting cement. The app is suitable for use with both iPhones and Androids and is free to download from the app store. Hard copies of the magazine 'Get Connected' are also available. Like the app, it will inform you of all the benefits, features and clinical applications of GC UK's complete range of luting materials.

If you're interested in getting your own free app or copy of 'Get Connected', contact your local GC representative or GC UK Ltd on 01908 218999, e-mail info@gcukltd.co.uk or visit www.gceurope.com

Dental Practices Must be Licensed to Play Music
The MDDUS has stated that dental practices must have licensing in place to play music in their practice, or risk legal proceedings.

This warning comes following a number of calls made to the licensing body by dentists inquiring about the conditions of the fees. In 2012 a dispute in Italy between the owner of a private dental practice and a royalty collection agency caught peoples attention. The Court of Justice of the European Union (ECJ) ruled that dentist's waiting rooms in Italy did not have to be licensed by the local music collecting society for playing music. Therefore, no remuneration had to be paid. However, it was determined that the case was not applicable in UK law.

In order to play music in a UK dental practice, you will have to pay license fees towards PRS (Performing Rights Society) and PPL (Phonographic Performance Ltd). PPL collects and distributes license fees for the use of recorded music on behalf of record companies and performers, while PRS for Music collects and distributes for the use of musical compositions and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and publishers. How much these fees will cost your practice depends on several different factors, including; how big your practice is and how the music is to be used.

Head of dental division at MDDUS, Aubrey Craig, has said: "There are two types of licenses protecting different copyright owners. Practitioners need to have both of these licenses in order to have permission to play recorded music in waiting areas. Regardless of whether the radio, CD, MP3 or other form of music is played, the licenses need to be paid to protect the copyright of those who create, produce and publish the music or performances."

She went on to say: "The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1998 states you need permission from the copyrighter to play music in public. Buying a cd or downloading music only allows you to play that music for domestic purposes, such as listening at home or in the car. A practice is deemed a public area and therefore further permission is required."

Bill Moyes Reappointed as GDC Chair Until 2021
Bill Moyes has been reappointed the position of Chair of the GDC until the 30th of September 2021.

The decision to reappoint him was make by the Privy Council. Moyes first took up the role in 2013, but has experienced a turbulent time in office.

While other officials at the GDC have welcomed the reappointment, the BDA have described the Privy Council's decision as a 'missed opportunity', with BDA Chair Mick Armstrong saying: "The GDC chair's term in office has been defined by a total collapse in trust in professional regulation among this profession, and the question remains whether such a figure can ever deliver the change we need."

"While this reappointment represents a missed opportunity, our priority remains clear. Patients and practitioners deserve a regulator and a chair that really understands dentists and dentistry."