With the new year approaching, Raj Rattan, Dental Director at Dental Protection, has set out his hopes for significant change to address the challenges in dentistry.

The winners of the inaugural research competition for UK foundation dentists launched by Dental Protection in partnership with the MPS Foundation has produced noteworthy projects to improve periodontal care.

Dental Protection has called on the new UK Government to prioritise critical issues currently impacting dental professionals and patients - including access to NHS dentistry, GDC and clinical negligence claims reform, child oral health, and growth of and support for the dental workforce.

Dental Protection has welcomed the GDC’s decision to no longer publish determinations made by the Interim Orders Committee prior to a review or hearing, as part of its commitment to reduce the impact of the fitness to practise process on dental professionals’ mental wellbeing.

The MPS Foundation – a global not-for-profit research initiative that aims to shape the future of patient safety – has opened for applications for its 2024 grant programme.

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More than half of dental professionals in the UK (57%) who took part in a survey say their mental health is worse now than it was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 dental professionals in the UK, over a third (36%) also say fear of dentolegal issues arising from staff shortages is having a negative impact on their mental health.

In a Dental Protection survey of over 1,300 UK dental professionals, more than half (57%) say they have experienced or witnessed verbal or physical abuse from patients or their relatives in the past 12 months, with 64% of those saying the incidents resulted from frustration over long waiting times for appointments and 59% saying it related to the treatment they received.

Dental Protection – the world’s leading not-for-profit, member-owned dental defence organisation – is proud to achieve the industry-recognised Menopause Friendly Accreditation.

In the case of GDC v. Williams, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment and held that supplemental fees (described as top-up fees) in addition to the NHS charge were permitted under the NHS Regulations - in this particular case for a more aesthetically pleasing ceramic crown.

Dental Protection has raised concerns about the lack of progress with reform to the GDC’s legislation and has called on the Government to commit to a specific timetable for improving dental regulation.

In the case of GDC v. Williams, the Court of Appeal handed down judgment and held that supplemental fees (described as top-up fees) in addition to the NHS charge were permitted under the NHS Regulations - in this particular case for a more aesthetically pleasing ceramic crown.

Dental Protection has urged the General Dental Council (GDC) to provide further clarity on the boundaries for each registrant type and an assessment of complex skills in the proposed revised Scope of Practice guidance.

The MPS Foundation is funding research which aims to develop interventions for patients who suffer from extreme anxiety when visiting the dentist.

Dental Protection has welcomed further improvements by the General Dental Council (GDC) that aim to reduce the impact on those subject to investigations, improve case progression, and make best use of limited resources in the absence of regulatory reform.

Dental Protection has welcomed further improvements by the General Dental Council (GDC) that aim to reduce the impact on those subject to investigations, improve case progression, and make best use of limited resources in the absence of regulatory reform.

Interim Orders Committee (IOC) guidance must be clear and comprehensive to avoid unnecessary conditions, says Dental Protection.

“Dental Protection has long argued for reform to the legislative framework that underpin the GDC. Vital changes to the 1984 Dentists Act, are seriously overdue. The Act remains outdated, requiring the regulator to conduct some of its operations in ways that are not always in the best interests of patients or professionals.”

Dental Protection has introduced a new product, Company Protection.

Dental Protection welcomes GDC’s commitment to dentists’ wellbeing.

Dental Protection is calling for better support for female dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) struggling with menopause symptoms

Dental Protection welcomes PSA drive to wipe out inequality in regulation

2 in 5 dentists who graduated overseas faced fitness to practice hearing without legal support

Strategic goals must consider registrant mental wellbeing, says Dental Protection.

Dental Protection has set out a range of steps to help practice owners reduce the chance of a vicarious liability and non-delegable duty of care claim against them being successful.

Three in four early career dentists in the UK (75%) say the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant and negative impact on their dental training, according to a Dental Protection survey

Three in four early career dentists in the UK (75%) say the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant and negative impact on their dental training, according to a Dental Protection survey

Three in four early career dentists in the UK (75%) say the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant and negative impact on their dental training, according to a Dental Protection survey

Dental Protection welcomes proposals to limit the legal costs that can be recovered by claimant lawyers for lower value clinical negligence claims, but believes more could be done to ensure such a scheme benefits dentistry.

MPS launches ambitious research initiative to improve patient safety and clinician wellbeing.

Nearly 2 in 5 (37%) of young dentists in the UK say they are worried about the impact of Covid-19 on their wellbeing, according to a new Dental Protection survey.

Dental Protection member successfully fights vicarious liability claim at Court of Appeal

Dental Protection responds to government consultation on clinical negligence fee cap.

Dental Protection welcomes GDC statement on complaints during the pandemic.

Dental Protection adds four new members to its Board.

Dental professionals must receive better support for their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing in a future pandemic situation, to ensure patients continue to get the best possible care and treatment and avoid long-term impacts on the profession.

Handling patient complaints about delays in treatment due to backlogs, and situations where staff refuse a Covid-19 vaccination, are the key areas dental professionals have sought advice and support from Dental Protection in 2021.

Dental Protection welcomes the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into rising clinical negligence costs.

Dental Protection member to fight decision on vicarious liability and non-delegable duty of care.

Dental Protection has launched a week-long series of free webinars for young dentists and new entrants to the profession, starting from Monday 14 June 2021.

Dental Protection to extend its benefits for current and new practice principal members to include additional protection against vicarious liability and/or non-delegable duty of care claims relating to treatment provided by self-employed, contracted dental practitioners.

Dental Protection welcomes vital report setting out commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in dentistry

Dental regulator pays damages after unlawful under-guise operation

Dental Protection welcomes the arrival of a long-awaited consultation on reforming the healthcare regulators, but fears reforms to the GDC will not be prioritised in the legislative timetable.

Government reforms of GDC are too slow and going in wrong direction, says Dental Protection.

Dental Protection has called for a number of specific measures to help ensure that dental professionals are well supported following the impact of Covid-19.

Dental Protection and BADT announce partnership.

Dental Protection welcomes news that Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out to dental professionals as priority.

Dental Protection has defended dentists following the publication of a new Healthwatch report on dentistry and the impact of Covid-19.

Dental Protection welcomes the commitment by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to modernise the laws that underpin the work of the GDC and other professional regulators.

Dental Protection and College of General Dentistry announce partnership to offer indemnity protection for less.

Dental Protection survey reveals two in five UK dentists are fearful of investigations arising from Covid-19 disruption.

45% of UK dentists feel their mental wellbeing is worse compared to the start of the pandemic, and nearly half (48%) say they feel pessimistic about the future, according to a survey.

45% of UK dentists feel their mental wellbeing is worse compared to the start of the pandemic, and nearly half (48%) say they feel pessimistic about the future, according to a survey.

The Medical Protection Society (MPS) has announced the appointment of Geoff Jones as Executive Director of its Member Protection and Support division.

Dental Protection calls for GDC leniency as third of dentists say fear of investigation is affecting mental wellbeing.

Dental Protection welcomes ‘No Appeal’ decision on pension suspension ruling.

Dental Protection welcomes ‘No Appeal’ decision on pension suspension ruling.

A survey of dentists in the UK has revealed the key issues affecting their mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

Dental Protection has reassured all members working in England who choose to return to work that they will continue to be supported.

Dental Protection has called on the Welsh Government to look again at its offer to provide dentists with 80% of their NHS annual contract value (ACV), following concerns that the offer will be insufficient for many.

A package of support – the equivalent of offering the next two months of membership for free - has been set out by Dental Protection for members who have experienced a significant drop in their workload and a dramatic fall in income due to Covid-19.

International Women’s Day – celebrated 8 March every year- aims to, among other causes, honour the achievements of women throughout history and across the globe. Dental Protection is proud to support women in healthcare across the world and has today unveiled information about its first women members.

Dental Protection provides indemnity to dental volunteers at Bridge2Aid

Dental Protection urges the new Government to make swift progress in reforming dental regulation and enabling much needed improvements to Fitness to Practise (FtP) processes.

Dental Protection have welcomed the High Court decision handed down on Friday that it was unlawful for the Government to suspend the payment of pensions to NHS professionals who had been charged with certain criminal offences but not yet convicted.

The dental community must act to prevent burnout amongst dentists so they stay in practice rather than quit the profession, according to Dental Protection.

The leading protection organisation for dentists has said it is “disappointed and concerned” that the General Dental Council (GDC) is engaging in undercover investigations which are attempting to trick dentists into wrong-doing.

GDC proposals to allow more time to respond to allegations must be extended to non-clinical cases, says Dental Protection.

New data published by Dental Protection reveals that almost 40% of its estimated annual claims costs in 2018 related to cases where treatment started ten or more years ago before the claim was made.

Dental Protection urges the Government to give more details on reforms to the healthcare professional regulation.

Dental Protection opposes Government proposal that could deprive dentists of the NHS Pension Scheme prior to a criminal conviction.

A Dental Protection survey of over 1,100 dentist members reveals that nearly eight out of ten (77%) of respondents admit that the fear of being sued has caused them stress or anxiety.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is seeking views about indemnity cover for dentists and other healthcare professionals who are not covered by any existing or proposed state-backed scheme, via an open consultation which closes on 28 February.

Dental Protection urges dentists to pay their Annual Retention Fee (ARF) by 31 December to the General Dental Council (GDC) to avoid significant disruption to their practice and potential sanctions.

Dental Protection has successfully challenged the General Dental Council (GDC)’s decision in which the regulator tried to re-impose a warning on a dentist for a minor road traffic conviction.

New evidence shows that having an effective, in-house complaints process in place and displayed in the practice can help to avoid complaints from escalating into claims and prevent a complaint being made directly to the General Dental Council (GDC), say Dental Protection.

43% of the public believe there are now more marketing campaigns by ‘No Win No Fee’ firms compared to five years ago, according to a YouGov survey of 2000 people conducted on behalf of Dental Protection.

Dental Protection has successfully challenged the actions of Practitioner Services of NHS National Services Scotland in a Judicial Review over the recovery of alleged overpayments.

In its response to the Department of Health (DH) consultation on the future of professional regulation in healthcare, Dental Protection said change is long overdue - but warned against reform that would see the creation of a ‘super regulator’ or a similar large scale amalgamation which could result in a lack expertise and understanding of the distinct professions.

MPS welcomes this opportunity to respond to the Scottish Government’s Oral Health Plan for Scotland. The consultation is wide ranging, and MPS confines its comments to a small number of questions pertinent to our role as a protection organisation serving dentists and other members of the dental team. Read the full response below.

Dental Protection welcomes this opportunity to respond and give its support to the General Dental Councils (GDC) proposals to remove registrants' addresses from the online register.

In November 2015, the GDC changed the rules on registration to ensure that all Dentists and Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) have a statutory requirement to maintain adequate and them appropriate indemnity when practising dentistry in the UK.

On Tuesday 5 January the BDA announced that talks with the Department of Health around the doctors in training contract dispute had ended and that it would proceed with industrial action. The first full strike is due to start on 12 January.

Dental Protection has in recent years assisted thousands of members who have made requests for assistance with General Dental Council (GDC) investigations.

A Dental Protection survey of 140 members who have been investigated by the General Dental Council (GDC) reveals that 94% felt it had an impact on their stress and anxiety and 33% had considered leaving the profession because of the experience. The survey also showed that 76% believe the investigation impacted on their personal life and 71% felt it affected their health and wellbeing.

This consultation relates specifically to the proposed fee structure for all health care and adult social care providers that will be registered under the Health and Social Care Act 2008.

The document Principles of Good Complaint Handling sets out the Ombudsman's views on the key principles of good complaints handling. Although the information contained within the document is largely factual in nature, a number of issues arise from it.

Failing to obtain patient consent before commencing treatment is one of the top risks for young dentists that can lead to patient litigation, Dr Raj Rattan, senior dentolegal consultant at Dental Protection, told delegates at the Young Dentist Conference this week.

Yes. In general, the arrangements outlined are reasonable and appropriate. However, the GDC should be aware that MDOs will be unable to be specific about the indemnity arrangements until registration has taken place and they are consequently able to be accepted as a member of that MDO.

Dental Protection broadly welcomes the proposals made in this consultation because we feel that a radical change of approach, and culture change, is needed within GDC fitness to practise (FtP) procedures. If in order to make the necessary culture changes, the proposed Section 60 Order is required, then we will support them. However, in order to ensure that these proposals have the intended impact the GDC must be committed to taking full advantage of these new powers.

Dental Protection is pleased to announce the date for the fourteenth annual Premier Symposium. Organised by Dental Protection with schülke, the European leader in cross-infection control, this year’s Premier Symposium will take place on Saturday 29 November at The Shaw Theatre, Pullman St Pancras in London.

On this occasion the GDC has justified the unprecedented scale of the increase in the ARF primarily on the basis of the increase in the number of complaints that it has to deal with. In calculating its likely operating costs, the GDC has also predicted that this volume of incoming ‘complaints’ will continue to rise for the foreseeable future, and appears to have assumed that the number of Fitness to Practise (FtP) investigations will need to rise at least in proportion to this.

When placing advertisements for services you provide as a registrant you must ensure that you adhere to the Councils ethical guidance Standards for Dental Professionals.

The proposed increase in the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) would see the cost for dentists rising from £576 to £945; the GDC is currently consulting on its proposal.

It has been five years since Dental Protection moved into its Edinburgh home, to support members working in Scotland, and it’s been an exciting and busy period. In that short period of time the number of dental members has doubled and staff numbers have increased to ensure that we continue to provide exceptional service.

DPL has, since the 2005 Amendment to the Dentists Act 1984 was introduced, been concerned that IC has not been fit for purpose and has produced a steady stream of inconsistent decisions. It has appeared to us that the members of the IC have not understood their role and the standards that they are legally required to apply. Therefore we welcome this latest attempt by GDC to introduce guidance to IC. Specifically we welcome the learning from previous cases although we would commend the use of consistent thought processes in considering cases, rather than a recipe book approach to decision making.

We believe that we are uniquely placed to appreciate the role that CPD can play in the areas of professional performance, patient safety and the quality of patient care. Our unwavering commitment to CPD is evidenced by the fact that we, and the MPS group of which we are a part, invest substantial resources into providing risk management and educational resources for our members around the world. In 2012 alone this included over 600 educational presentations.