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PARENTS FAILING TO TAKE YOUNG CHILDREN TO DENTIST


GREEN LIGHT FOR DIRECT ACCESS


DENTAL hygienists and therapists will now be able to offer treatment without a prescription or patients having to see a dentist first under new GDC rules. The decision to remove the barrier to direct access for


some dental care professionals was made following a GDC consultation and full discussion of the evidence at a Council meeting in March. The move has been condemned by the BDA’s General


Dental Practice Committee who said the decision “fails to promote the concept and value of the dental team, which we believe is integral to the delivery of safe, high-quality care for patients.”


Under the changes, dental hygienists and therapists can


now carry out their full scope of practice without prescription and without the patient having to see a dentist first, but the guidance makes clear that they must be confident that they have the skills and competences required to treat patients direct. The GDC believes that a “period of practice working to a dentist’s prescription is a good way for registrants to assess this”. Also under the new rules, dental nurses will be allowed


to participate in preventative programmes, and orthodontic therapists will be able to carry out index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN) screening without the patient having to see a dentist first. Clinical dental technicians will continue to see patients


direct for the provision and maintenance of full dentures only and will otherwise carry out their other work on the prescription of a dentist, but this decision could be reviewed in future given the potential for further training for CDTs. The work of dental technicians (other than repairs) will continue to be carried out on the prescription of a dentist. Dental professionals are encouraged to get in touch with the GDC if they have any questions. GDC chair Kevin O’Brien said: “Registrants treating


patients direct must only do so if appropriately trained, competent and indemnified. They should also ensure that there are adequate onward referral arrangements in place and they must make clear to the patient the extent of their scope of practice and not work beyond it.”


STUDENT DEBT


SURVEY THE impact of debt on dental students’ career prospects is being examined by the British Dental Association. Final year student BDA members across the


UK have been responding to an online survey looking at how study-related debt affects access to the profession and career plans. It comes as new research by the BDA


PARENTS are not taking their children to the dentist when recommended, according to a new survey. Research by Yougov shows 79 per cent are waiting until their children are over a


year old before taking them to the dentist, while five per cent wait until their child is five. Parents are encouraged to take children to the dentist as soon as possible, with baby teeth developing at around six months. The Consumer Attitudes Towards Dentistry Survey found younger parents were


more likely to avoid check-ups – less than half (47 per cent) of 18-34 year-olds with children under 16 take their children to the dentist every six months. This is compared to 75 per cent of parents over 45.


DENTISTS WITHOUT INDEMNITY RISK ERASURE


DENTAL graduates are being reminded of their obligation to have professional indemnity cover in place – or risk erasure from the dental register. All General Dental Council (GDC)


registrants are required to have appropriate and adequate indemnity in place so that patients can claim any compensation they may be entitled to. This applies to dental graduates as well as to more experienced practitioners. There have been a number of


high-profile cases in the last year where


suggests increased tuition fees could act as a deterrent for some students interested in a dental career. Concerns have also been expressed that student loans do not take into account the fact that dental students study for 40 weeks per term, rather than the standard 30 week term other students experience. Most of the students surveyed agreed


that debt was an inevitable part of being a student. The research also found that some students may give up on plans to become a specialist in areas such as maxillofacial surgery and periodontics due to the extra


dentists have failed to have indemnity or insurance and, as a result, have been struck off. “Having professional cover in place is


a GDC requirement and ensures protection for dentists and their patients,” said Aubrey Craig, MDDUS Head of Dental Division. “The GDC are coming down hard on those who fail to protect their patients’ interest with a number of dentists erased from the dental register for working without indemnity. There have been recent high-profile cases where the GDC have struck off practitioners and dentists are reminded to ensure they are covered.” He added: “Practitioners may believe


they will never face professional difficulties but it can, and does, happen. Even if a patient was to complain and you are innocent of any wrongdoing, you risk being struck off by the GDC if you are not indemnified.”


costs involved. When asked about working part-time to supplement their income, many of the students said the academic demands of their course meant this was not an option, however they did know some students who worked. Chair of the BDA’s student committee Paul


Blaylock said: “Student debt is a persistent and growing concern in dentistry. We believe that entrants to dental courses must be selected on merit, not their ability to pay course fees – so that the best, brightest and most caring candidates are able to join the profession.”


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