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• ORE Reform Brings Opportunity and Pressure to UK Dentistry

  Monday, May 11, 2026

  The General Dental Council’s latest ORE reforms represent a major development for UK dentistry. With increased exam capacity and a more structured examination schedule, the changes aim to improve access to registration for internationally qualified dentists and support long-term workforce growth.
  
  However, the 65% increase in ORE Part 2 fees has raised concerns across the sector. For many overseas dental professionals, the overall cost of UK registration is becoming increasingly significant and may create additional barriers to entry at a time when practices continue to face recruitment challenges.
  
  In this article, we explore what the new ORE changes mean for dental professionals, practices and the wider future of dentistry in the UK, including the potential impact on workforce planning, NHS dentistry and patient access.

• GDC Introduces New Online Registration Portal for Dental Professionals

  Thursday, March 19, 2026

  The General Dental Council (GDC) has launched a new online registration portal to make it easier for dentists and dental nurses to manage their registration.
  
  The updated system offers a more user-friendly design, simplified navigation and improved access to key information, helping dental professionals complete registration tasks more efficiently.
  
  This change reflects a wider move towards digital processes in healthcare and aims to reduce administrative burden while supporting ongoing compliance.

• CQC Registration Changes: What Care Homes and Nursing Homes Should Consider for Their Workforce

  Tuesday, February 3, 2026

  From February 2026, the Care Quality Commission will immediately return any incomplete or inaccurate registration applications, creating tighter timelines for care home and nursing home providers. While regulatory in nature, these changes have direct implications for workforce planning, recruitment timing and staff engagement. This article outlines what is changing, why it matters for recruitment and how providers can protect their workforce during periods of registration delay.

• Tax Relief for Uniform Cleaning: What Nurses and Healthcare Professionals Need to Know

  Monday, January 12, 2026

  Many nurses and healthcare professionals, including those working through agencies, pay out of pocket to wash or repair their work uniforms. Under HM Revenue & Customs rules, eligible workers may be able to claim tax relief on these costs. This article explains who can claim, what can be claimed, when claims are not allowed, and how to submit a claim, in line with current UK Government guidance.

• How to Attract and Keep the Best Staff in Dentistry: Why It Needs Your Attention

  Monday, January 5, 2026

  Attracting and retaining top dental staff isn’t just about salaries—it’s about culture, growth opportunities, recognition, and work-life balance. Practices that invest in their teams see lower turnover, happier staff, and better patient care. Recruitment is just the beginning; ongoing engagement, clear career pathways, and a supportive workplace are key to building a thriving dental team. Ignoring this costs time, money, and patient trust—investing in your people is essential for long-term success.

• Nursing Workforce, Pay and Retention in Social Care: 2025 Review

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025

  Registered nurses remain essential to safe, effective care in nursing homes across England, supporting medication management, complex needs, clinical decision-making and end-of-life care. In 2025, the nursing workforce in adult social care continued to grow, but retention remained fragile as providers balanced cost pressures, pay competition from the NHS and wider labour market and changing immigration conditions.
  
  For nursing home operators across the West Midlands, workforce planning is now a commercial priority as well as a quality imperative. Vacancy levels have improved but turnover and pay competitiveness still determine whether homes can sustain stable rosters and consistent clinical leadership.

• Major Boost for Millions of NHS Dental Patients as Government Confirms Contract Reforms

  Tuesday, December 16, 2025

  Millions of NHS dental patients across England are set to benefit from improved access to urgent and complex dental care following the announcement of significant reforms to the NHS dental contract.
  
  The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed the most substantial modernisation of NHS dentistry in years, with changes designed to prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need. The reforms, due to come into effect from April 2026, aim to make better use of the NHS dentistry budget by focusing resources on urgent treatment and long-term care for complex conditions such as severe tooth decay and gum disease.

• Dental Nurse Workforce, Pay and Retention in England: 2025 Review

  Tuesday, December 2, 2025

  Dental nurses remain the backbone of dental care in England, underpinning safe treatment, smooth patient journeys and the sustainability of both NHS and private practices. In 2025, pressures on access to dentistry, rising patient demand and evolving working patterns have brought the dental nurse workforce into sharper focus than ever.
  
  For practices in the West Midlands, understanding workforce numbers, pay benchmarks and what drives retention is now essential to staying competitive in a tight labour market – not just “nice to have”.

• Dentaid are looking for volunteer Dentists and Dental Nurses in Birmingham

  Monday, December 1, 2025

  Dentaid, The Dental Charity, has issued a call for volunteer dentists and dental nurses to help deliver essential oral healthcare to looked-after children in Birmingham. In partnership with Barnardo’s, Dentaid will operate its mobile charity dental units throughout spring and summer 2026, bringing accessible dental support directly to local community settings.

• Worried About Continuity of Care Over the Festive Season? We’ve Got You Covered!

  Monday, December 1, 2025

  As the festive season begins, healthcare providers across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands region are entering one of the busiest and most resource-intensive periods of the year. With increased patient demand, planned staff annual leave, winter pressures and seasonal illness; ensuring continuity of care throughout the festive season has never been more vital.
  
  Dental practices, clinics, hospitals and nursing homes need not worry this festive season, as Flourish Medical is here to help. We can supply fully qualified, fully vetted and compliant healthcare professionals at short notice to ensure your services remain safe, stable and fully staffed. Whether you require experienced dental staff or dedicated registered nurses, our team is ready to support you with reliable professionals who can step in seamlessly when you need them most.