AGM notice

Notice is hereby given that the 65th AGM of the North Western Branch of the British Dental Association will take place on Tuesday 12 May 2015 in the Maxillo-Facial Unit, Royal Lancaster Infirmary commencing at 18.45. For further information email the secretary Mark Collinson at mscollinson@hotmail.co.uk.

Response to the launch of dental prototypes

The BDA's General Dental Practice Committee (GDPC) has responded to the Department of Health's announcement that 62 pilot practices will move forward to become prototype practices for the reformed NHS contract in England. Further prototype practices are expected to be announced in due course. The prototypes contain the discredited UDA (Unit of Dental Activity) activity measure as well as payments for capitation and quality. There will be two types of prototypes with varying UDA targets. The BDA's view is that payment should be based on capitation only. The BDA has indicated it will be reaching out to all practices that have been involved in the pilot process to offer support and assistance, as they either move forward to the prototype system or revert to previous contracting arrangements.

Peter Crooks re-elected Chair of Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee

Peter Crooks has been re-elected as Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee (NI DPC). He was re-elected unopposed. Peter has previously served two terms on NI DPC between 2010 and 2015. He qualified from Queen's University, Belfast in 1983, is a general dental practitioner and has owned his practice in Ballymena since 1987. Peter has had a long career in dental politics and was the Chair of the Northern Local Dental Committee for three years.