GDC comes out fighting
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- Published: Friday, 05 December 2014 18:49
- Written by News Editor
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The General Dental Council (GDC) has responded to the unanimous vote of condemnation by the LDC Special Conference on December 5th. The Council says it is ‘disappointing’ that the LDCs have chosen to go down this route and it is of ‘extreme concern’ to the GDC that they are construing this ARF increase as potentially having an impact on patient access to dental services. “This unfounded and inflammatory stance will do nothing but worry patients unnecessarily”, they say.
The GDC says its key function is patient protection. ‘Patients expect dental treatment to be conducted in a safe environment and by a trained professional, and if they have a concern about that dental treatment that the GDC will investigate it quickly and efficiently’.
The GDC points to the very large increase in complaints received by the GDC - 110% over the last three years - has necessitated a significant increase in the registration fees paid by dentists. It says the additional income will be used ‘to ensure that we continue to deal effectively with complaints in the public interest.’
The GDC concludes by saying it is anxious ‘to engage constructively with the dental profession’ to understand more about the causes of complaints and to do what can be done to stop them arising in the first place. ‘We hope that the LDCs, and other professional groups, will take the opportunity to join in these discussions which will begin early in New Year’, the GDC says.
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