Dental associates; workers or self-employed? The tide is turning
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 48 Since the Central London employment tribunal handed down its decision in the Uber case on 28th October 2016, the courts have been awash with claimants seeking to gain worker status. Pimlico Plumbers and CitySprint have both had judgments against them, and claims against Deliveroo, Amazon Logistics and Hermes are all in the pipe line. But how is...Read More
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Promises, promises; can anyone really save the NHS?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 47 With one week to go before the UK once again goes to the polls and a large number of voters still undecided on how to cast their vote, there is still a huge amount to play for in the General Election 2017. The handling of the NHS is critical to any party’s success, so we have scrutinised the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat’s offerings in the lead up to...Read More
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Contract law; don’t get your hands tied in a ‘bad deal’
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 46 Businesses, in the most part, are free to negotiate any terms they want when entering into a contract. The courts generally take the view that both parties will have an even bargaining power and will be able to state what terms they are willing to agree to. However, this is not always the reality. Small dental practices often deal with large suppliers,...Read More
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The truth behind reference requests; what really needs to be included?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 45 Generally speaking, there is no obligation on an employer to provide a reference. However, if you do choose to give one it must be true, accurate and fair. This duty is owed to both the recipient, new employer, and the subject of the reference, the ex-employee. This means you have to balance your duties to both when responding to reference requests. The...Read More
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Assessing Fitness to Practice; what test must the GDC satisfy?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 44 Just the mere mention of Fitness to Practice can strike fear into the heart of a dentist. Patients have become increasingly litigious and more likely to complain, even in the absence of good cause. Unfortunately there are rarely any consequences for patients who make spurious complaints which are not upheld; however, the same cannot be said for the professional....Read More
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Restrictive covenants; protecting your business
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 43 Making sure restrictive covenants are worth more than the paper they are written on You work hard to build up your practice, only for an ex-employee or ex-associate to leave, set up business down the road and take all of your patients with them. In most cases this will be a breach of the restrictive covenants in their contracts. When clients come to us with this...Read More
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Police Investigation; the dos and don’ts if you want to stay a dentist
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 42 If someone makes a criminal allegation against you, whether true or false, you will be subject to a police investigation. This will no doubt be a daunting experience for you. In this article we guide you through the process and give you some important advice to help you protect your registration as a dentist. Police Investigation: at the police station It is a...Read More
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Need to downsize your staff? Here’s how – Part 2 SOSR Dismissal
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 41 Some Other Substantial Reason for dismissal (or SOSR dismissal) is not a type of dismissal that is utilised that often. However, it is a tool you can use as an employer if you need to make substantial changes in your business and need to dismiss employees, but one of the other potentially fair reasons does not apply. SOSR Process First and...Read More
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Need to downsize your staff? Here’s how – Part 1 Redundancy
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 40 Every practice will evolve over time and staffing needs will change. When your practice is running smoothly, you will have little to worry about, but, there will always be concerns for what the future may hold. Having in place the tools and knowhow to deal with staff changes will give you at least some piece of mind that you can deal with any situation...Read More
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Sex, death and Dr High’s dramatic fall from grace
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 39 Dr High appeared before the PCC on the 23rdJanuary. The charges allege that, whilst employed as a Senior Lecturer at a School of Dentistry, on one or more occasions between the 1stJanuary 2013 and the 12th March 2015, he engaged in sexual activity in his office; and that this conduct was inappropriate and/or unprofessional. Secondly, it was alleged that when...Read More
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