With dental news in the UK press often about NHS access and workforce, the profession has, so far at least, been spared patients commenting on the latest dentists behaving (very) badly stories. Spare a thought then, for our North American colleagues.
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GDPUK has reported from time to time on fake dentists, most recently the case of a one man band caught operating from a hotel room in the USA. But this pales into insignificance with the scale of the problems now being reported much closer to UK borders.
One of the most enduring memories of Covid-19 lockdowns was the phenomenon of home working. And as the nation came to terms with restrictions on movement and socialising (Downing Street excepted), a new phrase entered the vocabulary – ‘zoom meetings.’
GDPUK readers may recall the report of how the GDC pushed on with recent fitness to practice proceedings, even as the council’s case unravelled. A new Freedom of Information (FOI) request has shed some light on the financial costs involved, and the GDC’s decision making processes.
Read more: GDC Spent £271,865 on 'no case to answer' Fitness to Practise Hearing
The latest figures from the GDC may offer a glimmer of hope for UK dentistry as it struggles with workforce shortages. Following the latest renewal cycle, the number of Dental Care Professionals (DCP’s) has risen. This is in contrast to recent years where the trend has been one of declining numbers.
One of the big changes post pandemic has been in the way that MP’s and much of the media reported on dentistry, and in particular dentists. But we may be returning to some finding it easier to blame the dental access crisis on the profession, rather than addressing its actual causes.
Read more: Return of the Greedy Dentist Persona as MP’s Get Desperate
The death of a loved one. Divorce. Moving house. Major illness. Selling your practice. To the list of ‘most stressful events in life’ there’s a not dental professional in the land who wouldn’t add ‘being investigated by the GDC’ to that unwanted roll call.
Read more: DDU Offers Helping Hand To GDC Investigation Victims
A wide survey of 657 colleagues paints a picture of what the UK’s Associate Dentists are seeking when applying for a position as previously reported on GDPUK.
Read more: What Associates Want Part Two: It Depends Where They’re From
Dental workforce problems do not just apply to general practice. At the Office of the Chief Dental Officer (OCDO) the will she, won’t she, departure of CDO Sara Hurley was swiftly followed by the loss of Professor Rebecca Harris, one of the two part time deputies.
Read more: More Changes at the Office of the Chief Dental Officer