A Local Dental Network approach to COVID-19 pandemic: innovation through collaboration

Abstract The coronavirus pandemic has had significant effects on individuals, healthcare systems and governments. In the UK, whilst routine dentistry was suspended, an urgent dental care system was required to support urgent patient need. Using an adapted model of Donabedians’ framework, a critical evaluation of the services developed and implemented is provided and the various innovative approaches involved in this work are discussed. The three domains of the framework are structure, process and outcome. Structure: We present the principles for selecting and initiating hubs, the integration with secondary care services and the supply of personal protective equipment. Process: The main elements are communication, the development of referral processes to manage complex cases and data collection. Outcome: Through work with local dental stakeholders, 23 clusters and 36 hubs were set up covering a large geographical area. The integrated network of hubs and clusters has strengthened collaboration between providers and policy makers. Various leadership approaches facilitated the readiness for the transition to recovery. The new local collaborative structures could be used to support local programmes such as flexible commissioning, peer-led learning and integration with primary care networks

Yield and carcass composition of broilers fed with diets based on the concept of crude protein or ideal protein

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of diets formulated using the criteria of crude protein (CP) and ideal protein (IP) on the yield and carcass composition of male and female broilers. Birds of two broilers strains (Hybro G and Hybro PG) were reared from 1 to 42 days of age during the summer, with average temperatures of 26°C. A completely randomized experimental design was used in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, with 6 replicates and 20 birds per pen. On day 42, four birds from each experimental unit were killed and carcass yield and composition were determined. Breast yield was higher in males and females fed the IP-based diet than in birds fed the CP-based diet. Abdominal fat pad and carcass crude protein were statistically similar between the two protein criteria and between strains. Carcass amino acid levels evidenced higher levels of Met, Lys, Met+Cys and Thr in the males fed IP-based diets. No differences were seen between the two criteria for the females. Diets formulated according to IP resulted in better carcass and breast yield, both for males and females