Gaps remain in dental professionals’ understanding of the complexities surrounding direct access the BDA has said. The new arrangements which were implemented in May by the GDC have left dental professionals with a number of questions that require clarification, a recent meeting of dental stakeholders said.
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A sharp increase in claims against dentists is a result of a growing compensation culture in our society, according to UK-wide dental defence organisation MDDUS. “This rise in claims may be related to the harsh economic climate of recent years but is being manifested in increasing claim rates and consequent legal costs,” says MDDUS Head of Dental Division Aubrey Craig.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has found that one third of over 900 GP practices they inspected had problems with some essential standards. Ten practices were found to have major problems and in at least two cases the GPs in charge are no longer running the practice. Two GP partners referred each other to the GMC. Neither is still working in the practice.
The study by R. S. Levine reports that the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes will impact on oral health, especially periodontitis. It reviews recent research suggesting a three-way metabolic relationship between obesity, diabetes and periodontal disease; and suggests periodontitis may adversely affect glycaemic control in diabetics but can be improved by periodontal treatment.
Read more: BDJ publishes research on obesity, diabetes and perio disease
Speaking at a meeting of LDCs on December 6 John Milne said the contract reforms must deliver improved patient outcomes and fair remuneration, while preserving current benefits for practitioners, allowing the transfer of the value of a practice’s goodwill and ensuring financial stability during the transition period. They must also, he added, ensure that practice ownership remains a sustainable proposition.
Dentists in Scotland who fail to complete laboratory slips accurately risk a loss of earnings and even allegations of fraud, says dental defence organisation MDDUS. They are urging dentists to protect themselves by complying with the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) as practitioners can easily fall foul of the regulations.