Archive for the ‘Coronavirus’ Category
New research links gum disease to increased risk of Covid-19 complications
A new study has linked gum disease to an increased risk of Covid-19 complications. Research conducted by a team at the University of Birmingham found that dental plaque and inflammation of the gums contributed to an elevated risk of severe symptoms of Covid-19. The team discovered that collections of plaque and periodontal swelling increased the […]
Sheffield dentist swaps the dental drill for power tools to finish off renovations during lockdown
A Sheffield dentist swapped her dental drill for a DIY toolkit to finish off renovations, which ground to a halt as a result of the lockdown. Principal dentist at Sharrow Vale Dental Care, Galer Farrer, said that she had no choice but to try and finish the work off herself after renovations were put on […]
Wales’ chief dental officer releases guidelines, as first local lockdown commences
Wales’ chief dental officer has released guidelines, as the country’s first localised lockdown commences in Caerphilly. Colette Bridgman issued a statement as tougher measures were enforced in Caerphilly following a spike in the number of Covid-19 cases. In the last week, more than 130 people tested positive in the county, prompting additional measures to reduce […]
Dentists in Wales are ‘firefighting’ to deal with giant backlogs, experts warn
The chairman of the Welsh general practitioners committee has warned that dentists are ‘firefighting’ to cope with giant backlogs as a result of prolonged lockdown closures. Tom Bysouth described the backlog as “huge” and admitted that it could be months before dental teams are able to catch up following Covid-19 closures and ongoing restrictions. Mr […]
Dental appointments drop in 2020, as Covid-19 lockdowns take their toll
NHS figures show that the number of people accessing NHS dental care has fallen in 2020. Statistics from NHS Digital suggest that there has been a 4% decrease in the number of patients seeing a dentist in England in the 24-month period leading up to the end of June 2020. Although it is likely that […]
Bristol dental patient shocked by £60 PPE charge
A dental patient from Bristol has spoken of her shock after being charged an extra £60 for PPE (protective personal equipment). Beverly Hawkins took to social media to ask other patients in the local area whether they had paid extra for dental treatment. Beverly was surprised to see a £60 surcharge on her bill after […]
Dental patients unhappy with extra PPE charges
Dental patients are unhappy about paying more to see a dentist, as some practices have started adding extra PPE charges. Mydentist is one of several chains and independent dental businesses charging patients more to cover the cost of providing PPE (personal protective equipment). One patient, who attended a mydentist clinic in Kent, claimed that the […]
Researchers to trial mouthwash as a means of reducing Covid-19 levels in saliva
Researchers are preparing to trial mouthwash as a means of reducing Covid-19 levels in saliva. Patients at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff will take part in the upcoming trial. The research team is keen to analyse the impact of mouthwash on the virus after studies suggested that agents found in mouthwash can disrupt […]
Scottish dentists worry about ‘paralysing’ NHS Coronavirus guidelines
Dentists in Scotland are worried about the implications of ongoing Coronavirus restrictions. Sheila Macintyre, from the Scottish Dental Association, claims that the current guidelines are contributing to the paralysis of NHS dentistry. Ms Macintyre, who runs a practice in Renfrewshire, suggested that the policies currently enforced by the Scottish Government have created a two-tier NHS […]
Local authorities raise concerns over sudden surge in demand for post-lockdown dental treatment
Local authority leaders have raised concerns over a sudden surge in demand for post-lockdown dental treatment. In 2018/2019, NHS figures suggested that 177 multiple-tooth extractions were carried out on under 18’s every working day in England. This figure represented an increase of 17% compared to numbers for 2012/2013. The number of procedures rose from 38,208 […]
