In the Lords debate on the Queen’s speech, retired dentist, Lord Colwyn said that the dental profession had expressed grave concerns with the GDC. He added that it was disappointing that the Queen’s Speech made no reference to the Law Commission’s recommendations for health regulation—something health regulators and unions are all keen to scrutinise with a move to implementation. He also raised several other matters of concern to the profession.

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Read more: Lord Colwyn speaks out on dentists’ woes

Kevin Lewis said it  was deeply disappointing to see public confidence in their dentists being undermined yet again. He commented: “Nobody would support cases where patients are being deliberately misled, but it is not acceptable to assume that this must be the case, simply because a dental practice – perhaps through the quality and popularity of the service it provides – finds that the demand for its services exceeds its capacity to supply them.”

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Read more: Kevin Lewis speaks out on Which? report about access to NHS dentists

The British Dental Association (BDA) has issued a strong response to the Professional Standards Authority’s (PSA) recent annual report on the General Dental Council (GDC). BDA Chair Mick Armstrong, said: “Yet again GDC registrants must acknowledge that they are being regulated by the worst health regulator in the UK.  It is difficult to understand how badly the GDC has to perform before someone actually intervenes.”

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Read more: BDA slams GDC performance

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has published its annual report on the regulators it oversees (including the GDC). It found that the GDC did not meet not meet eight (of ten) of the Standards of Good Regulation. The report says: “As in previous years, we have identified continuing concerns about the performance of some regulators (including the GDC) regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of the fitness to practise processes.

For full report see: http://tinyurl.com/odpckn9

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Read more: GDC labelled worst of all regulators

The British Medical Association (BMA) and British Dental Association (BDA) have responded jointly to the staffing review and suggested restructure at Public Health England (PHE). Mick Armstrong, Chair of the British Dental Association, said:  “We have grave concerns that mooted cuts at Public Health England are being driven purely by the clamour for ‘efficiency savings’. A review that is not based on evidence or workforce need represents a clear risk to public health, for little to no gain.” 

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Read more: Doctors and dentists oppose cuts public health funding