Revalidation Drive Started by General Dental Council

 General Dental Council (GDC) has opened its 12 week consultation into revalidation.

The Revalidation drive is on the lines of the GMC drive for doctors, will provide, for the very first time, a way of checking that dentists carry on meeting the GDC's standards after they have joined its registers.

The GDC's Fitness to Practise proceedings are reactive rather than proactive; they assume that dental professionals meet its standards unless the regulator receives information which suggests otherwise. The current trend among governing councils is to  be proactive.

The GDC plans to introduce revalidation for dentists in UK by  2014. Revalidation will make clear the minimum standards that all dentists must meet. It is expected that the majority of dentists will already be meeting these standards and should have no difficulty in revalidating - it will build on the current requirements for continuing professional development.

However, the system will provide an opportunity for those in difficulty to identify and tackle any problems before they become serious.

The structure

A standards and evidence framework will set out the standards dentists must meet under the four domains of clinical, management and leadership, communication and professionalism. The framework will also set out the evidence which will be acceptable to demonstrate compliance with each standard.

Dentists will gather this evidence over five-years, and revalidate at the end of each cycle;

GDC are proposing a three-stage process at the end of each cycle:

- Stage 1 - compliance check, which will apply to all dentists;

- Stage 2 - remediation phase, which will provide an opportunity to dentists who do not pass Stage 1 to remedy deficiencies;

- Stage 3 - in-depth assessment, which will apply to dentists who fail to demonstrate their compliance at the end of the remediation phase.

- Dentists who refuse to engage with the process, or who do but who fail to revalidate, will ultimately be removed from the register, with additional requirements for restoration to the register;

- There will be an appeals process.

The consultation

This consultation, which can be found on the GDC's website, sets out proposals for revalidating dentists. The proposals aim to avoid over-regulation by making as much use of existing and developing quality systems within dentistry as possible. Dentists will, in many cases, already be required to show that they are meeting quality standards. For example through NHS practice inspections or performance appraisals. Our approach is designed so that dentists can meet all our requirements and those of other dental service regulators under one umbrella.

The consultation takes into account the findings of an earlier consultation, research and pilots carried out in 2009. These pilots focussed on the experiences of general dental practitioners (GDPs). However, the GDC anticipates doing further piloting and consultation with other dentist groups in 2011 and 2012.

Chair of the GDC's Revalidation Working Group and Council Member, Denis Toppin said:

"We are keen to get feedback from a full range of stakeholders including registrants, patients, organisations representing the interests of patients and providers of quality initiatives. We want to make sure we get it right for the dentists we regulate. As a practising General Dental Practitioner I want the GDC to keep the extra regulatory burden to a minimum whilst maximising patient protection. We need you to get involved and have your say on our proposals so that you can help us to get them right and have the confidence of the public and professionals alike."

Notes

- The GDC welcomes Dental Care Professional (DCP) input into this consultation.

- The GDC does not plan to consider in-depth whether revalidation is necessary for all DCP groups until the random audit of the first cycle of CPD for DCPs is complete, in late 2013.

- Dentists all went through at least one complete cycle of CPD without any further requirements being put on them, and it would be unfair to DCPs to expect them to begin discussing whether revalidation is necessary until they have had the same opportunity to complete and review one cycle of CPD.

- However if DCPs would like to comment on the proposals for dentists in their capacity as a professional colleague, teacher or trainer, they are welcome to do so.

Solar Tooth Brush does not need Toothpaste!

A revolutionary new toothbrush has been designed by reserachers, that cleans teeth by creating a solar-powered chemical reaction in the mouth, doing away with the need for toothpaste.

Dr. Kunio Komiyama, a dentistry professor emeritus at the University of Saskatchewan, designed the first model of the unconventional toothbrush 15 years ago. Today, Komiyama and his colleague Dr. Gerry Uswak are seeking recruits to test their newest model, the Soladey-J3X. The toothbrush, which is manufactured by the Shiken company of Japan, will soon be tested by 120 teenagers to see how it compares to a normal toothbrush.

The Soladey-J3X has a solar panel at its base that transmits electrons to the top of the toothbrush through a lead wire. The electrons react with acid in the mouth, creating a chemical reaction that breaks down plaque and kills bacteria. The toothbrush requires no toothpaste, and can operate with about the same amount of light as needed by a solar-powered calculator.

The researchers have already tested the toothbrush in cultures of bacteria that cause periodontal disease, and demonstrated that the brush causes “complete destruction of bacterial cells,” Komiyama said.

Last month, the researchers presented their research at the FDI Annual World Dental Conference in Dubai, where their poster won first prize out of 170 entries.

I wonder when will it come to UK? Will the dentists in London have more plaque to deal with?

Perfect 32 wins 2 National Awards!

Dental 32 wins prestigious awards. It has been honoured with not one BUT two prestigious National Training Awards in recognition of its outstanding contribution and commitment to training, learning and development in the workplace.

Perfect 32 was presented with a Regional National Training Award and a UK National Training Award at the Yorkshire and The Humber Regional Ceremony, held at Leeds Town Hall.

Perfect 32 was recognised in the Yorkshire and Humber Training Award-Small Employer category and the UK National Training Award-Small Employer category for furthering professional development across many areas of expertise, including management, customer service and clinical excellence.

Good news for Perfect 32, with a name like that, it has to be perfect!

Congratulations to Dr. Gary  Rowland's team for winning these 2 awards!

2010 National Training Awards are sponsored by City & Guilds.

As they say on their website,

Perfect 32 is a different kind of dental experience.  We offer the very best in dental care, state of the art treatment, cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry.

The whole team of Perfect 32, deserves a pat on their back!

NHS Dental Super Surgery Opens in Burnley!

The Quest Dental Care - part of NHS East Lanca-shire, opened its door yesterday. The Quest Dental Care centre contains 12 dental suites equipped with ultra modern facilities and technology to provide a full range of NHS dentistry.

 With a capacity of  treating approx-imately 10,000 patient places within the next 12 months, this practice brings cheers to NHS patients and tears to private dental practices.


And already the practice said it had had hundreds of inquiries.


The practice will also provide training opport-unities to dentists and ther-apists, in partnership with the East Lancashire Dental Education Centre in Accrington.

The NHS East Lanca-shire primary care trust said that the “unique development” next to the bus station was part of its commitment to ensuring that the 382,000 people of Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale are able to access high quality dental care.

In a statement Pauline Hargreaves, Ian Redfearn and Nicholas Taylor, the partners of Quest Dental Care, said: “We are deli-ghted to be moving in to this state-of-the art facility provided by the PCT.

“This is an exciting and innovative project and we have a fantastic team in place who will provide a first class NHS dental service to the local population, as well as training for all members of the dental team.”
Sharon Young, head of primary care contracting for NHS East Lancashire, said the trust was proud of delivering the new multi-million pound centre in a time of financial difficulty.

She said: “NHS East Lancashire is committed to improving access to NHS dental treatment for its residents.
“This new practice will provide high quality NHS treatment right from the town’s centre. We are del-ighted to be helping people to access NHS dental ser-vices close to home.”

To contact the practice visit www.questhealthcare.co.uk

Will a similar Dental Super Surgery in London brings cheers from Londoner's or groans from dentists in London?

Will Justin Bieber's Video, U Smile Inspire Kids to visit Dentists?

Justin's New Video: U Smile is set to rock the teen age heart. See the video below

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For some technical reason, the above video is not working and therefore I have posted it here as well.

It is estimated that due to the "Justin Effect" on impressionable young teenage girls, his "pearly whites" will inspire lots of girls in London and states to go in for tooth whitening in London.

It is reported that thousands of girls are mighty impressed with his pearly whites and tooth whitening firms are waiting to rake in the moolah!

I am sure all the London Dentists must be loving it!

Justin Bieber - U Smile

Dentitst in Birmingham de-frauded NHS of £230,000!

A Birmingham Dentitst has de-frauded the NHS of £230,000/- Wolverhampton Crown Court, sitting in Brierley Hill, heard that this dentist in London used the forged degree certificate to register with the General Dental Council and obtain employment in the NHS between February 2000 and February 2009, earning a total of around £230,000.

She worked in the Oral and Maxillofacial departments at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital, Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Essex, Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals Foundation Trust and the Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in East Grinstead, Sussex.
The court heard her role involved examining patients, carrying out minor surgical procedures and dealing with trauma alongside senior consultants.

She was charged after an investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Service and today pleaded guilty to one count of using a false instrument, five counts of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, and one count of fraud by false representation.
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The question is why wasn't this picked up earlier, anyone who comes from overseas have their degree checked and further certificates are needed. GDC should also take responsility for their failure to provide the necessary licenses for this dentist to practise and treat patient's.

Dental Care for Nursing Homes- "Patchy"!

Peter Bateman, speaking at a BDA meeting on Monday, the Chair of the BDA’s Salaried Dentists Committee, said that the provision of oral healthcare for residents of nursing homes remained highly variable. He told delegates that people living in care homes typically have poorer oral health than their contemporaries, but are often unable to access appropriate dental care.

Explaining the work being undertaken in Sheffield by the Residential Oral Care Sheffield (ROCS) scheme, Dr Bateman said that he hoped the model adopted there – of salaried dentists in Sheffield, co-ordinating the activity of general dental practitioners across the city and working closely with the staff of care homes – would be expanded both in and beyond the city.  He also called on the Coalition Government to keep its promise to take into account the ROCS model when developing new arrangements for dentistry in England, details of which are expected to be published later this year.

Bateman calls for greater recognition of the work of care professionals, arguing that they are underpaid and undervalued in Britain. The role of advocates in helping vulnerable patients obtain health services is also vital, he explained.

Prison environments also present challenges for dental seo care Dr Bateman said, citing the movement of inmates around institutions as a barrier to providing continuity of care and the failure of some custodial institutions to invest in the facilities necessary for the provision of care as problems.

UK Dentists want to be called "Doctor"

According to the British Dental Association, a survey among all its memeber dentists, showed that the dentists want to continue the use of prefic of "Dr". 

Four-fifths of dentists, even W1 London Dentists, think it is appropriate to continue to use the courtesy title of 'Dr' according to a poll carried out by the British Dental Association (BDA). The survey was carried out as part of a discussion hosted on the communities section of the BDA website between late July and early September. The debate attracted very high levels of interest, being viewed more than 2,800 times.

The discussion, which was open from late July to early September, saw contributions from dental members of BDA across the UK. The results of the poll will be used to emphasise the profession's concerns in the BDA's formal response to the General Dental Council's consultation on the issue.

Dr Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said:

"This issue has generated unprecedented levels of interest from contributors to the BDA's online communities. Participants, dentists, have sent a very strong signal about their wish to continue using the title Dr. We have listened to them and will convey the strength of that feeling to the GDC in our response to its consultation on this issue.

"It is clear from the contributions to this forum that, as long as it is made clear that the individual in question is a dentist, patients do not seem to be confused by the use of the title. The practice of referring to dentists in this way is long-established overseas and is also now firmly embedded in the UK."

I even asked Dentist in Marylebone about it and even they want to continue to use the title of "Doctor".

What do you think, are you comfortable calling your dentist doctor?

Dentist Shame!

In the news are dentists, who have tried to either be a voyeur or solicit sex whlist practicing.

I just cannot believe that any dentist will do that, after all that hard work which goes into being a dentist, all those years of study, sweat & toil, you do something so stupid and destroy lives of patients and ggive a bad name to your profession and lose all social credibilty and your job!

What motivates them to do this, is beyond me! I wish these chaps will stop making the rest of the dentists look bad!

GDC is taking steps to prevent such characters from practising again and rightly so.

A dentist tried to seduce a married patient after her husband suffered brain damage in a severe asthma attack, a misconduct hearing was told yesterday

Heather Norton, for the GDC, said: ‘The matters relate to a breach of trust and the advantage we say that Mr Shah sought to take from her in her difficult life circumstances.

Another dentist was playing Jmaes Bond and trying to see women change clothes!

Come on men, get a life! You can go to a night club or dancing bar to get your cheap thrills, leave the patients alone!

Welcome to the London Dental Blog

Welcome to the London Dental Blog! Starting a new journey into Dental Blogging, lets see how things pan out!