Dental experts back NHS England move to reduce record-keeping burden

From AI-assisted paediatric dentistry to tackling the clinical record-keeping burden, this week’s updates highlight how technology, workforce investment and changing models of care are reshaping dentistry across the UK.

Dental Protection and the British Dental Association (BDA) have welcomed NHS England’s new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for clinical record keeping, describing them as a step towards a more proportionate and efficient approach to documentation.

Published on 3 August 2026, the guidance aims to reduce repetitive recording by allowing clinicians to reference agreed procedures rather than documenting routine treatment steps in full at every appointment. This could make appointment-specific information easier to identify while reducing the administrative burden on dental teams.

Dental Protection’s Raj Rattan said the guidance could help dentistry move away from ‘defensive documentation’ towards records that are clear, accurate and focused on clinical judgement and patient care.

BDA Indemnity’s head, Len D’Cruz, said dentists frequently struggle to complete contemporaneous records while working against the clock. He warned that pre-populated templates can cause problems if they fail to reflect what actually happened, adding that ‘copious notes do not necessarily mean more accurate notes’.

NHS England has published four example SOPs covering extractions, root canal treatment, crowns and onlays, and anterior composite restorations. The protocols are not intended to standardise clinical practice or restrict clinical judgement, with practices encouraged to develop procedures suited to their own workflows.

Denplan appoints new managing director to lead next phase of growth and innovation

Denplan, part of Simplyhealth, has appointed Nick Tait as managing director to lead its next phase of growth and innovation.

Tait said he was excited to return to the dental sector, adding that his wife is a dental hygienist and therapist and that dentistry has ‘long had a connection’ to his life.

Smile Together expands NHS dental access across the south west

Smile Together Community Interest Company (CIC) has expanded NHS dental provision across the south west of England with the opening of a new Dental Access Centre in Gloucester, while continuing investment in services across Cornwall.

The Quayside Dental Centre opened on 1 July 2026 following a partnership with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and Gloucestershire County Council. The centre provides urgent NHS dental care and stabilisation services, with daytime, evening and limited weekend appointments accessed through NHS 111 or directly.

The seven-room facility is also an approved NHS Dental Foundation Training Practice, supporting newly qualified dentists and contributing to the future NHS dental workforce.

The Gloucester centre marks Smile Together’s first expansion beyond Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where it has continued to strengthen access. The organisation opened a new practice in Falmouth in January 2026 and another in Camborne in July, improving access to NHS care and urgent treatment.

Chief executive Jasem Greval said the Gloucester opening was an ‘exciting milestone’, adding that the organisation aims to share its community-focused approach while continuing to strengthen services across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Hello Pearl launches AI tool to tackle paediatric dental anxiety

Hello Pearl has introduced Second Opinion for Kids, an AI-assisted dental diagnostic tool designed to support communication, reduce anxiety and encourage earlier intervention among young patients.

The paediatric-focused platform analyses dental radiographs in real time to identify findings associated with dental pathology, including early carious lesions. It builds on Hello Pearl’s existing AI diagnostic technology, with child-friendly visual overlays featuring animated ‘Sugar Bug’ characters to help clinicians explain findings to children and their parents or carers.

The company said the technology aims to address key challenges in paediatric dentistry, including communicating clinical findings to young patients and building trust and cooperation during examinations and treatment planning.

Second Opinion for Kids can support clinicians in identifying and monitoring developing pathology in children from as young as four, potentially enabling earlier preventive intervention and minimally invasive treatment.

Ophir Tanz, CEO of Hello Pearl, said positive dental experiences early in life can influence attitudes towards oral healthcare, adding that the technology supports both the clinical and behavioural aspects of paediatric dentistry.

Dr Kunal Patel, founder of Love Teeth Kids in Surrey, said the visual tool helps children understand the earliest signs of dental disease, while giving parents a clearer understanding of clinical findings. He added that this shared understanding can improve engagement, reduce anxiety and encourage positive oral health behaviours.

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