DBS check; do you know who you are employing?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 28 A DBS check, formerly a CRB check, is a check carried out on an individual before they take up new employment. It provides certain information about that person in relation to their criminal record and whether they are on either the adult or child barring list, which means they are barred from working with these groups. However, a DBS check is not...Read More
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The GDC Specialist Lists; What Does the Future Hold?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 27 The GDC Specialist Lists were introduced in the UK in 1998 as a result of developments in European Legislation. As of October 2015 of the 40,953 registered dentists there were 4342 registered specialists; an increase of 31 on the previous year. A significant number of patients require specialist dental treatment each year; in 2012/13 approximately 3.5% of all NHS...Read More
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Safeguarding; a must for every dental practice
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 26 Does your practice comply with the CQC’s ‘safeguarding’ requirements? Do you have policies in place and are your staff properly trained? If not, then now is the time to act. On 22nd April 2015 the GDC announced that ‘safeguarding children and young people’ and ‘safeguarding vulnerable adults’ were to become part of the recommended CPD training for all dental...Read More
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The effects of Brexit in dentistry: What will the future hold?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 25 Two weeks on and the UK is still reeling from the result of the Brexit referendum. Regardless of where your heart lies, the result has rocked the global stock market, caused the pound to fall to its lowest value in 31 years, wreaked havoc amongst the UK’s political classes and arguably divided the nation. We analyse the possible effects of Brexit in Dentistry....Read More
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Training Contracts; what they must contain
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 24 4 Types of Apprenticeship There are currently four types of apprenticeship in England: 1. Contracts of apprenticeship; 2. Apprenticeship agreements – these are applicable to contracts entered into before 26th May 2015 or where there is no approved apprenticeship standard (this is explained in more detail below) and that comply with the legal framework;...Read More
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CQC Inspections; prevention better than cure
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 23 The words ‘CQC inspection’ can strike fear into the heart of most dentists. Even if you have fully prepared for the day, a sense of panic can still wash over you; what if I have forgotten to put in place a policy for tooth pick assembly; what if the receptionist forgets how to answer the telephone; what if the nurse wears the wrong colour scrubs. ...Read More
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CASE LAW – How Dentists Can Avoid Legal Problems
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 22 Fitness to Practice Hearing – Failure to Obtain Proper Consent Dr Darfoor, a dentist, appeared before the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) on 18th January 2016. The allegations against him concerned the treatment of three patients during the period 2011 to 2014. The charges against Dr Darfoor ran over three pages of the judgment and included allegations...Read More
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Taking the Headache out of Managing People – Part 2
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 21 In our last dental bulletin we gave some practical tips on how to manage persistent sickness absences and minor misdemeanours. However, managing personalities, as opposed to conduct, is a much harder skill and employers need to tread carefully or risk alienating staff or even having a claim issued against you. In this second part of managing people, we look at how...Read More
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Taking the Headache out of Managing Employees – Part 1
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 20 If you are a practice owner, being able to make difficult decisions but still come across as a fair manager will help maintain staff morale. But how do you strike a good balance between the two? If you are too hard you will be seen as a tyrant and staff will look to leave; but if you are too soft your employees will take advantage. Managing people is a...Read More
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When can a dentist sue the GDC?
DENTAL BULLETIN, ISSUE 19 This question sounds like the start of an awful joke with no punchline. Under the present regime of regulation it feels like the GDC are a law unto themselves. Dentists live in fear that any minor indiscretion may result in an investigation by their regulator and, ultimately, lead to their erasure from the register. Many have questioned the GDC’s...Read More
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