More pressure has been placed on the GDC today by the publication of an open letter to the GDC Chair, of the General Dental Council, William Moyes. A group of 23 LDCs have collaborated to produce an in depth letter of criticism and advice for the GDC, joining the explosion of protest and discontent from the dental profession.
The letter contains eight recommendations.
The letter has been published in the second part of this article.
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Two MPs have asked questions on the proposed ARF increase. The replies from health minister, Dr Daniel Poulter, were similar. He said that, although the GDC was an independent body, the Government would not expect registration fees to increase beyond their current levels, ‘unless there is a clear and robust business case that any increase is essential to ensure the exercise of statutory duties’.
Denplan’s newly renamed ‘Denplan Health and Wellbeing Survey 2014’ has evolved this year to reflect that fact that dental plans are rising in popularity as employee benefits. In fact, they are viewed by employees as the most important benefit in demonstrating their employer’s support for their wellbeing.
Read more: Denplan introduce new Health and Wellbeing Survey
Data released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that the number of admissions for dental problems among 5 to 9-year-olds rose from 22,574 in 2010-11 to 25,812 in 2013-14. Kathryn Harley, a consultant in paediatric dentistry, told the Sunday Times: “We have children who require all 20 of their baby teeth to be extracted. It beggars belief that their diets could produce such a drastic effect.”
Read more: Tooth decay by far the biggest reason for hospital admission
The General Dental Council (GDC) has defended placing an advertisement in the Daily Telegraph saying that it was part of a publicity campaign to promote the Dental Complaints Service. It claims that 27% of patients do not know where to complain about poor treatment. It also said the cost was £5,500
After 18 months of lobbying, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and other senior UK dentists have achieved a change in the regulations governing tooth whitening in patients under 18. This month the General Dental Council (GDC) amended its guidance to allow dentists to give patients with discolored teeth the treatment they need.