BNF Dental Advisory Group (BNF DAG) Report

On behalf of BSPD, I attended the meeting of the BNF DAG in London on 2nd March 2011.
The BNF DAG is a subcommittee of the Joint Formulary Committee (JFC) and its primary role is to advise the authors of the BNF about dental matters.
 
The BNF DAG has five dental members, one from each strand of dentistry:
 
  •  An academic dentist - Lesley Longman and Sarah Manton (CCDAS)
  •  A dentist working in a hospital - Christine Arnold
  •  A dentist working in salaried primary care dental services -  ( vacant )
  •  A paediatric dentist - Michelle Moffat
  •  A general dental practitioner - (vacant)
 
Other members of the BNF DAG include:
 
  •  The Chair - David Wray
  •  The Executive Editor of the BNF or his/her representative - Duncan Enright
  •  The Staff Editor of the BNF responsible for dental issues - Amy Harvey     
  •  A representative from the UK Health Departments - CDO Barry Cockcroft
  •  The Chair of the Formulary Development Committee (ex officio member) - Martin Kendall
 
Meetings are held twice yearly in May and October (under normal circumstances)
For a variety of reasons, the autumn 2010 meeting was deferred from October 2010 to December 2010 and we finally met on the 2nd March 2011. This year’s meetings will now be in 1st June and 9th November 2011.
 
In the meeting on the 2nd March 2011 held at BDA London the following aspects were covered;
 
  •  Review of current dental list in light of changing guidance and evidence
  •  Highlight amendments published in March 2011edition ( please note this would normally be discussed at October meeting)
  •  Removal of Artificial liquid saliva (Salinium)
  •  CoAmoxiclav has been amended to have BP monograph
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Proposed amendments for next publication September 2011for which full details will follow in due course. List of items discussed 
     
  •  Cetirozine Hydrochloride
  •  Loratidine
  •  Azithromycin
  •  Advice regarding antibiotic therapy for immunocompromised patients
  •  Advice regarding prescription of amoxicillin (short course)
  •  Temazepam
  •  Diazepam
  •  Intraconazole
  •  Alcohol Free Fluoride Mouthwashes (still under discussion)
  •  Tetracaine
 
The BNF / BNFC latest version are published twice yearly and updates are available online.
There is a BNF e-newsletter that is helpful in highlighting key changes in the new editions.
Individuals may register for this e-newsletter via the following link. www.bnf.org/newsletter.
This also includes case studies and other helpful information which would be relevant to all. Furthermore several software applications are being developed to allow easy access on PDA and other electronic devices.
 
As always, I am happy to be contacted about issues relevant to the BNF/BNFC and will forward reports after the next meeting. Best wishes Michelle. Michelle.moffat@nuth.nhs.uk