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.