Thursday, May 29, 2014

Warning in relation to DIY teeth whitening kits


A news report on Channel 9 last night highlighted the risks associated with using DIY teeth whitening kits purchased over the internet.

The ACCC has issued on-going warnings and continues to publicise a list of recalled DIY teeth whitening kits.

The ADA has created a website, www.toothwhiteningfacts.com.au that features a set of useful fact sheets. If you are considering whitening your teeth, consult with your dentist and ensure you are aware of the facts.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Dentists remain clinical team leaders

The Australian Dental Association has welcomed the retention of the dentist as the clinical team leader in the delivery of dental care to the community. This follows the release of a revised scope of practice registration standard by the Dental Board of Australia.

ADA President Dr Karin Alexander (left) said the revised scope and guidelines “provides consumers with assurance that they will continue to receive high quality dental treatment, in an environment where patient safety is paramount”.

She said the decision warranted some further detailed work, but felt it was clearly positive for the dental profession and for consumers.

The key requirement of the scope of practice registration standard is that all dental practitioners must only perform those procedures for which they have been formally educated and trained in programs of study approved by the Board, and in which they are competent.

Friday, May 23, 2014

NBN roll out commences – for those in South Morang and Brunswick, make sure you’ve signed up to the NBN

The roll out of the NBN – that is, the switch from services like landline phone and internet connection delivered through copper lines to the new NBN fibre network – commences today. News outlets are reporting that the NBN Co is urging those in the initial sites where the switch off is taking place to sign up before the close of business today. Locally, South Morang and Brunswick are included in the first 15 sites where copper will be progressively switched off.

There has been speculation that HICAPS terminals with a range of phone and internet services on the NBN will be impacted. The NBN lists three steps to take to move fax, EFTPOS, HICAPS or an alarm service to the NBN.

ADAVB members can read more about the NBN roll out in an article in the July Newsletter.

AHPRA Advertising Guidelines updated again

AHPRA Guidelines on advertising of regulated health services were updated again on 20 May 2014.

The media release states that:
“No requirements have been added from the previous version, and the update comes in to effect today.
The updated Advertising guidelines were edited to make them clearer, particularly about that:
•       under the National Law, testimonials are not allowed when advertising a regulated health service
•       the obligations of the National Law about advertising only apply when a regulated health service is being advertised, and
•       the National Law is not intended to stop members of the community and patients from discussing their experiences online or in person.”

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

PCEHR Review report released

The federal government has released the Royle review into the PCEHR, which recommends that:

  • the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record be renamed My Health Record (MyHR);
  • the system move to an opt-out model starting from 1 Jan. 2015;
  • NEHTA be dissolved and replaced by an Australian Commission for Electronic Health (ACeH), to report directly to the Standing Council on Health (SCoH); and
  • improvements be made to clinical usability.

Health Minister Peter Dutton has stated that the government's response to the review's 38 recommendations is still several months away, but that he supports the opt-out approach recommended by the Review.


Guarantees sought for public dentistry patients

Eight peak health organisations have called on the Federal Government to guarantee its commitment to timely and continued funding for adult public dental health services.

They fear that $390 million for public dental care will not be available in 2014/15 because of National Partnership Agreements ending and being deferred.

The organisations say that good oral health is essential for general health and the failure to deliver on promised investment in public dental services would set back recent progress in narrowing the gap between privileged Australians and those in hardship.

The concerned bodies are the Public Health Association of Australia, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, Australian Dental Association, Dental Hygienists Association of Australia, Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association, Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Dental and Oral Health Therapists’ Association and National Rural Health Alliance.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Federal Budget 2014/15 - dental impact

Funding of Dental Services

An initial review of the implications of the Federal Budget for dentistry reveals some mixed outcomes.

The Child Dental Benefit Schedule remains in place, and it seems the Voluntary Dental Graduate Year Program will also continue.

The National Partnership Agreement for adult public dental services is being deferred however, so the potential addition of funds which could more effectively address the needs of those previously served by the Chronic Disease Dental Scheme (discontinued in December 2012) will not happen on 1 July 2014 as anticipated.  Some Federal funds under the National Partnership Agreement to reduce waiting lists continues to be available through State schemes, with the Victorian Budget for 2014/15 noting that about $30m would be available from this source.

"The Government will achieve savings of $390.0 million over four years from 2014‑15 by deferring the commencement of the Mid‑Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2012‑13 measure Dental health reform — National Partnership Agreement for adult public dental services from 2014‑15 to 2015‑16.
The savings from this measure will be invested by the Government in the Medical Research Future Fund."
Source 

Dental Infrastructure

Also being cut is the Labor Government's Dental Flexible Grants Programme which had been initiated to provide dental infrastructure (both capital and workforce) in outer metropolitan, rural and regional areas.

"The Government will achieve savings of $229.0 million over four years by ceasing the Dental Flexible Grants Programme.
The savings from this measure will be invested by the Government in the Medical Research Future Fund."
Source

Agency changes

"The Government will achieve savings of $142.0 million over five years by abolishing Health Workforce Australia and consolidating its functions into the Department of Health. Savings will be achieved through administrative efficiencies, ceasing the planned expansion of the Clinical Training Funding Programme which is currently managed by Health Workforce Australia, and redirecting uncommitted funds in the Health Workforce Fund."
Source

In the second half of 2014 the government will consider, in consultation with the states, further rationalisation of government bodies, including the potential merging of six health care bodies to create a Health Productivity and Performance Commission. These bodies include:

  • Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 
  • National Health Performance Authority 

By July 2015, the Government also intends:

  • "merging the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman into the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman;
  • ceasing the Private Health Insurance Administration Council as a separate body, with the merger of private health insurance price monitoring functions into the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and the merger of health fund prudential regulation functions to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority"

Source

"The Government will achieve savings of $6.4 million over five years from 2013‑14 by abolishing the Australian National Preventive Health Agency and integrating ongoing functions into the Department of Health, including the administration of social marketing activities and the provision of grants to third parties for preventive health activities.
The savings from this measure will be invested by the Government in the Medical Research Future Fund."
Source

eHealth

"The Government will provide $140.6 million in 2014‑15 for the continued operation of the Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) system while the Government finalises its response to the review of the PCEHR.
This measure supports the Government's commitment for a shared electronic health record for patients."
Source

Further analysis

This selection of highlights may not be complete, and as further information becomes available we will bring it to attention.

Friday, May 09, 2014

Who are the greatest consumers of soft drinks?

A media release issued today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on the findings of the Australian Health Survey highlights the rate of soft drink consumption by teenage and young adult males, compared to the rest of the population.

The findings that 51% of teenage males and 44% of young male adults had consumed soft drink on the day prior to the survey interview is concerning, especially in relation to the high sugar levels and erosive effects of soft drinks. In an effort to increase awareness, the ADA has previously promoted fact sheets about the impact of high sugar and high acid drinks and more recently has supported the Rethink Sugary Drink campaign by providing information on preventing tooth decay and erosion.



Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Public dental services may be dependent on Federal Budget - ADAVB

The ADAVB has congratulated the State Government on virtually halving dental waiting times.

Using Federal 'Dental Blitz' funding, dental treatment waiting times have been cut from 23 months to 13 months, and dentures from 22 months to 11 months.  These services were delivered through public dental clinics and vouchers issued to private practitioners.
Commenting on the State Budget, ADAVB President Dr Jo-Anne Cherry warned that the allocation of $226.4 million for dental services next financial year could be reduced, as a large portion depends on Federal grants through National Partnership Agreements.

Given that next week’s Federal Budget could include action recommended by the National Commission of Audit to end National Partnership Agreements, which include dental funding, the State Budget’s dental services allocation could have a significant hole in it - perhaps down to $190 million, she said.

Monday, May 05, 2014

World Hand Hygiene Day - 5 May

Today is World Hand Hygiene Day - an initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Improving hand hygiene among healthcare professionals is the most effective intervention to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections in hospitals.  It is also of high importance in dental practices of course.

Consistent with WHO guidelines, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, with funding from the Australian, state and territory governments, has engaged Hand Hygiene Australia (HHA) to implement the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI).

The WHO has identified 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene as the critical times when hand hygiene should be performed in hospitals (and dental practices as appropriate):
1. Before touching a patient
2. Before a procedure
3. After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk
4. After touching a patient
5. After touching a patient's surroundings.