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News
Mind the gap: pay review leaves void
NHS FUNDING
The British Dental Associ- ation (BDA) has criticised the Scottish Government’s decision to ignore the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body’s (DDRB) funding uplift recommendations. The BDA said that the
decision to impose a lower- than-advised funding increase of 2.51 per cent for NHS dental services could be detrimental to care and bring into question the viability of some advanced treatments. Dentists’ leaders said they
accepted the 2.51 per cent increase after lengthy talks as the best possible outcome given the economic pres- sures confronting public finances. However, the BDA is concerned that, as a result of the uplift, many dentists will
have to re-evaluate plans to invest in their practices and the staff needed to provide care. This is the first funding
increase since April 2010 and follows years of financial pres- sure on dental practices as a result of increased regulation and staffing costs, as well as the rising prices of materials and equipment. Dr Robert Donald, chair
of the BDA’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said: “The funding freeze of recent years has meant dental practices stretching their resources to breaking point in order to be able to continue caring for their patients. This uplift will not alleviate the challenge they are facing. “While we understand the
acute fiscal pressures facing Government, it must, in turn, understand that there are
Robert Donald
Avinent appoints new sales manager
costs to providing the service patients need. It is particularly disappointing that its decision disregards the recommen- dation of the independent body tasked with assessing the situation. “Government must start thinking now about how it can help dentists meet those pressures and work with the profession to produce a fair deal for dental patients in 2014.” The BDA has written to
all General Dental Practi- tioner members in Scotland to provide details of the deal.
New standards published by GDC
UPDATED GUIDANCE
The General Dental Council (GDC) has published its new Standards for the Dental Team, replacing its current Standards Guidance.
Some of the main changes include: standalone princi- ples on communication and personal behaviour, greater emphasis on softer skills and new requirements to display indicative prices for treatment. If a complaint is made against a dental professional, then
7 Scottish Dental magazine
their behaviour/conduct will be measured against the princi- ples in the guidance document. The new guidance was approved by the GDC’s council in June and will be effective from 30 September 2013. Hard copies will have been sent out to all registrants by the end of August. Janet Collins, head of stand- ards at the GDC, said: “Devel- oping Standards for the Dental Team has been a lengthy and in-depth process. It’s involved research with patients, input
from registrants – through workshops and consulta- tion – analysis and, finally, approval by Council. The aim of increased patient protection has been worth the hard work. The inclusion of patient expectations reaffirm the importance of putting patients’ interests first.”
® You can also download the new standards from
www.gdc-uk.org/ Dentalprofessionals/Standards/ Pages/
standards.aspx
Spanish implant
company Avinent has a new UK sales manager in the shape of Ted Johnston.
Former Nobel Biocare rep Ted, who has two decades of sales experi- ence – including 10 years in dentistry – started with Avinent in July and is enjoying his new role. “I’m absolutely loving it,” he said. “I have the chance to build some- thing big within the UK, and that’s a great chal- lenge. We want to make Avinent the ‘go to’ brand for implants.”
Ted has spent his first weeks in the job on the road visiting new customers and setting up courses.
With a strong focus on research and devel- opment, the Spanish company is keen to sponsor training events across the UK.
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