Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

B usiness confidence among both NHS and private practice den- tists has taken a downward turn as they prepare for the prospects of a new NHS con- tract and continued economic uncertainties, according to new research. The latest twice-year- ly Lloyds TSB Commercial Healthcare Confidence Index shows that the short term con- fidence of dentists has fallen 20 points, since the first sur- vey in October 2011. Once again, the outlook of GPs was the least positive of the three primary health- care providers researched, followed by pharmacists and then dentists, whose previously positive score suf- fered the biggest fall in confi- dence. The findings are based on a combined ‘Confidence In- dex’ drawn from responses to a number of questions, can- vassing primary healthcare providers opinions on overall business confidence and out- look for the future profitability of their businesses. Where any figure greater than zero represents a posi- tive outlook and figures below indicate a negative one (the maximum value achievable is plus 100 and minimum value achievable is minus 100), GPs registered minus 62, an over- all shift of minus 1 to an even less confident position. This compared to minus 42 for pharmacists - an eight point uplift - and a 12 point fall of minus 38 for dentists, indicating that GPs are still by far the most uncertain of the likely impact of forthcom- ing NHS reforms, while pharma- cists are the only group heading towards a more positive outlook. Dentists’ collective long term confidence (looking ahead over the next five years) fell three points to minus 67 since the last survey. Dentists were split on whether NHS practices would remain the most profitable with 26 per cent saying they would, 33 per cent saying not and 41 per cent un- sure. A surprising 43 per cent of those undertaking NHS work said they had experienced some ‘claw- back’ in the last year and over half (53 per cent) expressed doubt that the new contract will be ad- equately funded. Only 29 per cent of all dentists believe they will still be working to an NHS contract in ten years’ time. Ian Crompton, head of healthcare banking services for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: “Pharmacist confidence has im- proved to a degree, GPs have re- mained the most uncertain but dentists really seem to have lost confidence since our first sur- vey in October 2011. “Back then, they stood out as the only group among their healthcare peers who had any positivity about the short term future of the profession. “The Health & Social Bill may now have passed but the debate has clearly unsettled NHS dentists who are facing their own contract changes in 2014 and private dentists are still feeling the impact of the economic downturn.” More than 30 per cent of pri- vatedentistswhorespondedtothe survey admitted that they may be encouraged to take on NHS work, having had an increas- ing number of requests from their private patients. Despite this, when asked outright if they would take on NHS work, 69 per cent said that they would not. DT Dentists’ confidence dips in Lloyds TSB commercial healthcare confidence index A snapshot survey carried out by the Dental Com- plaints Service (DCS) at the Vitality Show in London has revealed insights into the way patients view their dental professionals. Staff from the Service, which helps resolve com- plaints about private treat- ment, were at the show to re- mind patients that the first step if a problem arises is to talk to their dental professional. Nearly 500 people took part in the short survey over the four days of the show and of that number there was a fairly even split between NHS (49.8 per cent) and private dental patients (40.8 per cent). Although just under a quar- ter (23.5 per cent) of the sur- vey’s respondents said they have had problems with their dental treatment, DCS staff were encouraged that the vast majority (84 per cent) said they would feel confident ask- ing their dentist about their treatment. Head of the DCS, Hazel Adams said: “Good commu- nication between patients and professionals can make all the difference when prob- lems arise. We always ad- vise patients to speak to their dental professional first to try and resolve any concerns, be- fore seeking our help. I was pleased to see that of the peo- ple that took part in our survey, 77.5 per cent said they would feel confident enough to speak to their dentists if they had a problem with their treatment.” The DCS has a leaflet ‘Mak- ing a complaint about private dental care’ that helps guide people through the complaints process and can be ordered online at www.gdc-uk.org There are four key princi- ples to the work of the DCS, which is funded by the General Dental Council: • The service is free • It is independent of the NHS and the Government • It will treat people fairly, whatever their background or circumstances • It does not take sides For more details about the service and what it can help with log on to the website www.dentalcom- plaints.org.uk DT Vitality Show visitors tell DCS their views on dental professionals A ccording to recent reports, proposals which would see a Devon dental and medical school divided are being fought by Plymouth City Council. Earlier this year Plymouth and Exeter universities an- nounced that they wished to separate the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry to al- locate more places for students; however, the plan has met much criticism and according to re- ports, Plymouth’s councillors have voted unanimously to ask for the plans be put on hold for a 12-week consultation. Councillor Lynda Bower said in a report that the health and adult social care overview and scrutiny panel had been con- cerned about the lack of consul- tation, both with major stake- holders and the public. “We also have concerns about the long-term viability of two separate schools of medi- cine within 40 miles of each other,” the panel’s chair told BBC News. The separation proposals, which would see a medical and dental school in Plymouth and a medical school in Exeter, have already been criticised by the Devon Local Medical Commit- tee and have been deemed as a potential “disaster”. Before any move could go ahead, the proposals will have to be approved by the General Medical and Dental Councils, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the NHS. DT Plymouth council bids to stop Peninsula medical school split I n the past studies have highlighted how thin lay- ers of bacteria can cover the surface of dentures, mak- ing them potentially harmful. However, a team of scientists have suggested that by putting false teeth in a microwave oven for three minutes can in make them safe. The research was carried out by a team of scientists from Brazil, who also identi- fied that by soaking dentures in a germicidal mouthwash solution of two per cent chlo- rhexidine gluconate for 10 minutes could also make them safe. According to the study led by Karen Tereza Altieri, a den- tist at the Araraquara Dental School at the Universidade Es- tadual Paulista in Sao Paulo, either method is “sufficient to disinfect dentures coated with the toughest MRSA biofilms for up to a week.” “To our knowledge, we are the first investigators to report the effectiveness of this meth- od in killing MRSA,” she said in a report. Scientists have suggested that simply leaving dentures in a glass overnight may not be enough to keep them clean. MRSA, full name Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus Au- reus, is a bacteria resistant to some antibiotics and accord- ing to scientists usually found on false teeth, scientists said. According to reports, the new method of cleaning has already been adopted by ex- perts in the US. The study has been pub- lished in the Journal of the American Dental Association. DT Study warns of killer bugs Killer bugs could live on dentures May 7-13, 20122 News United Kingdom Edition