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Welcome News


EFFECTIVE ANTIBIOTIC USE CAN HALVE SUPERBUG


INFECTIONS PROGRAMMES to ensure effective use of antibiotics can halve the number of hospital infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Research published in The Lancet found numbers dropped even further


Welcome to your


THE media has been filled with headlines recently relating to allegations of inappropriate behaviour – so what better time to reflect upon the arrangements you make in practice for chaperoning? MDDUS dental adviser Rachael Bell sets out the many advantages of working alongside a chaperone – or chairside assistant – in her article on page 10. Expanding your professional


skillset is a natural way to move forward in your dental career, but how do you do it safely? MDDUS early practitioner adviser Laura McCormick offers guidance on minimising your risk on page 5. It comes into effect in May


2018, but is your practice ready for the GDPR? On page 6, risk adviser Alan Frame highlights key points of this new data protection regulation that will cover all personal information - both patient and employee. Children can be accompanied


at your practice by a wide range of relatives, friends and other


carers. Determining who has the right to consent to their treatment is not always straightforward. MDDUS head of dental division Aubrey Craig offers advice on page 4. An episode of the BBC show


The Apprentice sparked an idea for a smartphone app in dentist Ben Underwood. He tells SoundBite about his innovative ideas to improve oral health on page 12. On page 8, dentist and GDC


expert witness Gordon Boyle considers ways of reducing clinical risk in restorative dentistry. Managing patient expectations and working within your competence are among his key lessons. Our case study on page 14 continues this theme by highlighting the case of a patient who is unhappy with the appearance of a crown and complains about gum recession.


• Doug Hamilton Editor


when infection control measures such as good hand hygiene were followed. Commenting on the findings, NICE said healthcare professionals should select the dose, length of treatment and type of administration (for example, tablets or injection) that is right for the person and the infection. This stewardship, they said, helps to fight resistance because it preserves the usefulness of antibiotics. NICE deputy chief executive Professor Gillian Leng said: “It can be


hard work, but this new research shows the difference we can make when we work together.” Inappropriate use of antibiotics, such as taking them for viral


conditions like flu, or for mild infections that may clear up without treatment, is known to fuel resistance.


ANNUAL GDC RENEWAL


FOR DENTISTS ANNUAL GDC registration renewal for dentists has opened with a final deadline of 31 December. Dentists who do not renew by that date will be removed from the register and not allowed to practise.


The GDC is reminding dentists to complete three simple steps: 1.


Declare and/or confirm you have indemnity


2. Pay your Annual Renewal Fee (ARF) 3. Make your CPD statement, if required.


This can be done online at www.egdc-uk.org, by post or by calling 0800 197 4610. Dentists will be declaring CPD under the current scheme for the final time before enhanced CPD is introduced in 2018.


DENTAL SERVICES


IN ENGLAND RATE HIGHLY A NEW report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed that nearly nine out of 10 dental practices in England inspected by the regulator have complied with all five of its key standards. Out of 1,131 practices inspected in 2016/17, 88 per cent were found


to be safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led. These findings emerged from the CQC’s annual State of Care report.


EDITOR: Doug Hamilton BDS LLM MJDF RCS (Eng)


MANAGING EDITOR: Joanne Curran


ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Jim Killgore


DESIGN: Connect Communications www.connectmedia.cc


CORRESPONDENCE: SoundBite Editor MDDUS Mackintosh House 120 Blythswood Street Glasgow G2 4EA


t: e: 0333 043 4444 jcurran@mddus.com w: www.mddus.com


• 96 per cent were found to be safe • 89 per cent were considered to be well led. Community dental services faired particularly well with 88 per cent


achieving ratings of good or outstanding. The CQC has been collecting data on primary healthcare services


SoundBite is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Articles of Association. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in SoundBite are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland.


GPst is published by The Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland, Registered in Scotland No 5093 at Mackintosh House, 120 Blythswood Street, Glasgow G2 4EA. The MDDUS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MDDUS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.


since 2011 and inspects around 10 per cent of dental practices each year. Mick Armstrong, Chair of the BDA, said: “The latest CQC report


represents another ringing endorsement for good practice in our profession, in spite of the huge challenges we face.”


The CQC found that: • 100 per cent of inspected practices met the tests for ‘caring’ and ‘responsive’ to their patients’ needs and preferences


• 99 per cent were found to be ‘effective’ in achieving good health outcomes


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