• The BDA has welcomed significant changes to the requirements set out in the English Department of Health's decontamination guidance document HTM 01-05. The most significant change is the extension to the shelf life of wrapped instruments from 21 or 60 days to a maximum of one year. The policy on manually cleaning and rinsing instruments has also been amended. The use of one sink and a removable bowl is now permitted. Manual washing and rinsing can now be achieved by using either two dedicated sinks with a separate or shared water supply, or one sink with a removable bowl that can be contained within the sink and can accommodate the instruments for rinsing. www.gov.uk/government/publications/decontamination-in-primary-care-dental-practices

  • The BDA has issued a fresh call for illegal tooth whitening by non-dental professionals to be stamped out, and urges dental professionals to play their part in forcing the demise of the 'whitening cowboys' You can help ensure patients are aware of the risks involved in illegal whitening by displaying one of the BDA's '7 things you didn't know about tooth whitening' posters in your waiting area.

  • The BDA has welcomed the announcement that NHS England is to look closely at how dental services can be improved for vulnerable patients and individuals who are not accessing care.

  • The BDA has launched a survey of final year dental students to examine the impact of study-related debt on access to the profession and career plans. Recent research by the BDA indicates that the impact of increased tuition fees could act as a deterrent for some students.