Burden Of Regulation On Dentists Increasing Says BDA, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 17 Jun 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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The burden of regulation on dentists in the UK appears to be getting heavier, according to a review of the British Dental Association's (BDA's) advisory services for members. The BDA's annual review of its services has highlighted a significant surge in the demand for advice on regulatory issues, with the number of calls taken by BDA advisors each month increasing by more than 40 per cent in the last three years.

As well as an increased number of contacts from members seeking information, there has also been an increase in the complexity of the advice they require, reflected in longer and multiple contacts with individual members to help them resolve the issues they are confronting. The BDA has responded to this demand by almost doubling the number of advice staff it employs in the last five years.

Susie Sanderson, Chair of the BDA's Executive Board, said: "It is clear from our analysis that the challenges facing dentists are increasing and changing. Paramount among their concerns is the growing burden that changes to professional regulation are placing on their practices and the impact it is having on the delivery of patient care.

"Recent years have seen a significant and disproportionate elaboration of the regulation of dentistry, with the publication of new decontamination guidance and the advent of the Care Quality Commission. We hope that this week's announcement of the halting of the proposed vetting and barring regulations signal a fresh approach to regulation that puts patient care before bureaucracy.

"The BDA will continue to campaign for regulation not to be allowed to affect the delivery of patient care, while at the same time ensuring members are properly supported in complying with regulatory changes that are made."

Source
British Dental Association

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