Your elective allows you to experience dentistry like never before in a completely different social and cultural environment. A 4th year dental student offers some support and guidance on how to fund your upcoming dental elective.

Dentolegal consultant, Martin Foster, explains the current advice and guidance from NICE and SDCEP on antibiotic prophylaxis against infective endocarditis.

We look at how the new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) impact your dental practice.

Useful information for preparing for new GDPR

Protection for your elective starts here Whether you choose to stay in the UK or travel abroad for your elective, you’re in for an exciting and challenging time. This will be your first chance to exercise the skills and knowledge you’ve learned over the last few years, and to experience life in a new environment.

Where can I find out about current evidence and best practice which affect my work, premises, equipment and business?

Do I need to update the patient’s medical history on every appointment?

The GDC has very sensibly adopted the term 'valid consent' which helps to avoid the incorrect perception that giving patients information (informed consent) is sufficient to achieve a proper, valid consent. It isn't.

In business, it is always a good idea to ensure that people who are making a purchase are made aware of the costs involved before agreeing to go ahead. In this way, any misunderstanding about the price can be eliminated.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has stated that it intends to inspect approximately 10% of dental providers and that it will not apply ratings following inspections.

Receiving and acting on complaints: a summary of complaints, responses, correspondence and other relevant information identified must be provided to CQC within 28 days of a request.

The duty of candour, which was introduced by the government through Regulation 20 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, applies to dental practices from 1 April 2015.

All healthcare organisations that provide regulated activities have to register with the CQC. Here's a little background along with advice on who is affected and how to apply for registration.

The Local Authority Social Services & NHS Complaints (England) Regulations 2009 came into force on 1 April 2009 and introduced a revised procedure for the handling of complaints by local authorities, in respect of complaints about adult social care, and by NHS bodies, primary care providers and independent providers in respect of provision of NHS care.

The Ombudsman takes the view that complaints handling should be ‘Do it once do it right’. The Ombudsman will be looking for an appropriate, proportionate response which meets the principles of good complaints handling.

Patients who remain unhappy after local resolution is complete may request a review of their complaint by the Ombudsman. The person responding must inform the complainant of their right to take their complaint to the Ombudsman Health Service. Effectively what was a three-stage procedure is simplified into two stages.

Dental professionals are required to make and keep accurate dental records of care provided to patients, whether NHS or private. Dental Protection is frequently contacted by members who want to understand how long records should be retained by the practice.

The Health & Personal Social Services (Disciplinary Procedures) Regulations 1996 currently govern disciplinary proceedings in relation to family health practitioners, including dentists.

The Regulation and Improvement Authority (Independent Healthcare) (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 came into effect on 1 April 2011.

Healthcare Improvement Scotland replaces the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care (the Care Commission)

As dental professionals are aware, obtaining appropriate consent depends on providing patients with sufficient knowledge and information to allow them to make a decision.

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) went live in Scotland on 28 February 2011. This new membership scheme is intended to replace and improve upon the current disclosure arrangements for people who work with vulnerable groups.

The work of the Primary Care Trust or NHS Trust (familiar in England) is performed by the Health Boards and Dentistry under the NHS and is managed by the Practitioner Services Division (PSD).