JIDA_AprilMay_2022(Mel)_V3.qxp_JIDA 14/04/2022 17:12 Page 66
BUSINESS NEWS
DENTANET DENTAL LABORATORY SERVICE
PROBABLY THE BEST QUALITY CROWNS AND BRIDGES AVAILABLE IN IRELAND 22 Tralee Road, Castleisland, Co. Kerry V92 AF82 T: +353 (0)66 714 3964 M: +353 (0)87 332 4779 E: infodentanet@gmail.com www.dentanet.ie
Rebuild and reform NI dental service The British Dental Association Northern Ireland (BDA NI) has urged all candidates contesting the coming Northern Ireland Assembly elections to pledge their commitment to rebuild and reform a dental service that faces a deeply uncertain future as it emerges from the pandemic. With practices facing a massive hike in costs to deliver health service dentistry following Covid-19, dentists are worried about the future of NHS dentistry and the patients who depend on this service. They say that without additional support to address the rising cost of care, in parallel with work on a new contract, health service dentistry will simply not be financially viable. The BDA says urgent action on funding is needed. Dental earnings have reduced by 40% in real terms since 2008, with committed health service dentists now earning the least. With morale among the profession at a historic low, half of all dentists are now stating their intention to move towards more private work. Over two-thirds of health service dental practices reported at least one unfilled dentist vacancy last year. A total of 40% of practices say reluctance to work in health service dentistry is the key difficulty in recruiting. The BDA NI is calling on all political parties to set out a concrete plan to shore up health service dentistry. It calls for the restoration of a scheme that recognised and rewarded commitment to the NHS. It has also stressed the need for sweeping action to tackle rampant oral health inequalities in Northern Ireland. Roz McMullan, Chair of the BDA’s Northern Ireland Council, said: “Short-term financial support saved health service dentistry from collapse during the pandemic, but the next Assembly must deliver real change if we’re going to avert a crisis”.
Appointment at Braemar Finance Braemar Finance has appointed Lorraine Blake as Area Sales Manager for the Republic of Ireland to support and drive the funder’s range of offerings for new and existing clients in the dental profession and other sectors. According to Braemar Finance, Lorraine is an accomplished senior business and relationship development executive with over 20 years’ commercial experience in the asset finance sector. The company states that she has held key senior commercial positions working across a wide range of customer-facing roles, with a number of highprofile organisations supporting Irish businesses. David Angus, Sales Director, Braemar Finance, said: “I’m delighted that Lorraine’s joined us, not only to help us build and expand our presence within the professions across Ireland, but also for our existing clients and suppliers, who will benefit from Lorraine’s experience and expertise”. Lorraine added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for asset finance and professions clients across the Republic of Ireland who are looking to enhance, grow and expand their business”. 66
Journal of the Irish Dental Association | April/May 2022: Vol 68 (2)
