A note from our President ...

The exciting news this month (from my only slightly biased perspective) is that bookings have now opened for the 2024 BSP Annual Conference, which will be held in the fabulous city of Newcastle upon Tyne. The dates are 9-11 October 2024, and the Conference will be held in the Crowne Plaza hotel, which is located in the heart of the city, just behind the train station. Please click this link to view the programme and register: https://www.bsperio.org.uk/events/bsp-event-calendar/bsp-conference-2024

I am delighted that an excellent array of internationally renowned speakers have agreed to give presentations at the Conference, which will also include an exciting parallel session focusing on alternative career pathways for Dental Care Professionals. The Conference Dinner will be held on Thursday 10 October in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, an event not to be missed, with wonderful food, great company, and a brilliant band to entertain you after the meal. Please follow the links on the BSP website to view the programme, and register as soon as you can to be sure you don’t miss out. Tickets for the Conference and the Conference Dinner have already started flying off the shelf at BSP Headquarters, and this is sure to be a very popular Conference.

In a very positive development, we have just received the news that the Government has announced plans that dental hygienists and dental therapists will be able to give patients certain types of medicines, including pain relief and fluoride, without sign off from a dentist. This means that dental hygienists and dental therapists will soon be able to supply and administer certain prescription-only medications without needing a Patient Specific Direction or Patient Group Direction, and importantly will allow dental hygienists and dental therapists to use their full scope of practice.

The government previously held consultations on the proposals to grant these powers which were very strongly supported, and are a hugely positive step forward in improving efficiency, access, and quality of dental care. More information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-powers-for-dental-and-pharmacy-staff-to-free-up-appointments

Finally, I wish you and all of our members a Happy Easter, and hope you might get some time for rest and relaxation over the coming weeks.