BSDHT

Safe Smiles: new campaign set to champion the benefits of safe dentistry

The British Orthodontic Society and The Oral Health Foundation are launching a new campaign to help patients make safer choices when it comes to their dental treatment

The public awareness campaign, named Safe Smiles, will highlight the benefits of safe dentistry and treatment when carried out in dental practices by trained and registered professionals.

Safe Smiles is a dental sector response to concerns about the growth of direct-to-consumer alternatives, with the campaign’s two organisers worried about patients performing treatments at home – potentially putting themselves in danger.

The campaign was announced at this year’s British Orthodontic Society’s annual conference (16 September) in Manchester, in a joint press conference between the Oral Health Foundation and the British Orthodontic Society.

Recent research by the Oral Health Foundation reveals one-in-four (25%) UK households have opted for some form of DIY dentistry during lockdown.

The nationwide study also shows over half (55%) of adults feel they have neglected their teeth during lockdown. Around one-in-seven (15%) admit to not brushing their teeth as much as before the pandemic.  One-in-five (20%) are eating unhealthier foods, and more than one-in-ten (11%) have been drinking more alcohol. 1

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Oral Health Foundation is worried the potential decline in oral health status may lead to poor consumer choices, with many favouring shortcuts and attracted by direct-to-consumer alternatives.

Dr Carter says: “We are really concerned by evidence suggesting the UK’s oral health habits have declined during the pandemic. Symptoms associated with dental disease – mainly pain and changes in visual appearance – are leading patients to seek quick and cheap home cosmetic treatments advertised online. This is a great cause for concern and one of the key driving forces behind Safe Smiles.

“Dental treatment of any kind must involve face-to-face contact with a trained clinical professional inside the dental practice. This is to ensure patient safety and the most effective treatment.  It is important that the profession continues to champion safe dentistry and advise patients against direct-to-consumer treatments and alternatives shared on social media.

“When carried out correctly, cosmetic dental treatment can give patients the white, straight and confident smile they have always dreamed about. Safe Smiles will make sure patients are given the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have dental treatment.”

Further findings from The British Orthodontic Society suggest that adults have become more conscious of their smile during lockdown. Over half of orthodontists (60%) say they have seen a larger than expected demand for treatment during the pandemic. It is suspected those affected could be looking for solutions to treat dental problems and improve the appearance of their smile.  

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Anshu Sood, Director of Clinical Practice at the British Orthodontic Society, says: “We’re delighted to be extending our long-standing campaign with the Oral Health Foundation. It’s heartening to see overwhelming endorsement from the dental sector. This couldn’t be more timely. Our recent stats revealed the pandemic has seen a rise in the number of people seeking orthodontic treatment. With this demand comes a growth in online companies offering treatments.

“Embarking on treatment without seeing a suitably trained clinician could result in serious conditions being missed or dangerous treatment carried out. We want to ensure patients have the very best advice about the safest and most effective way to have treatment. We know that, when carried out correctly, orthodontic treatment can have a positive and life-changing impact.”  

Data shows that more than four-in-five (84%) UK adults want to change something about their smile. Over the next year, more than one-in-three (35%) are thinking about having their teeth whitened while around one-in-six (16%) are considering orthodontic treatment. 1

Safe Smiles will be asking all patients considering treatments to visit dental practices in the UK and have treatment carried out by clinicians registered with the GDC.

The campaign will tackle the dangers associated with dental tourism, inappropriately fitting mouthguards bought online, as well as harmful aesthetic changes to the mouth like lip tattoos, oral piercings, tooth jewellery, modifications and grillz.

The new campaign is being supported by Align Technology and has gathered support from across the dental world. The campaign has already received endorsement from the British Dental Industry Association, British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, British Dental Bleaching Society, British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy, British Association of Dental Nurses, and British Association of Dental Therapists.

Edmund Proffitt, BDIA Chief Executive, says: “The British Dental Industry Association is delighted to be supporting Safe Smiles. With ever growing interest in cosmetic dental work, the dental industry feels that it is very important that patients can achieve a healthy smile in a safe environment. Be it orthodontic work, tooth whitening or any other aesthetic dental treatment, working with trained dental professionals within a dental practice is a great way to get safe and effective treatment.

“With some unsafe and unregulated online and ‘do-it-yourself’ treatments available, and unfortunately, a number of unregulated practitioners offering treatments, we thoroughly recommend that patients engage directly with dental professionals to get the best, safest healthy smile.”

Jacqui Elsden, BADN President: “We’re thrilled to be supporting safe smiles. With the rise in popularity of unsafe do it yourself treatments and unregulated providers, we hope that this campaign will help patients become more aware of these dangers and think twice before they purchase them. We recommend that patients engage in this initiative and take steps to safely pursue treatment options.”

Zaki Kanaan, Chairman of the British Dental Bleaching Society: “There is no doubt that one of the most common cosmetic dental procedures that is carried out routinely in dental practices is tooth whitening. Done properly, by a dental care professional, tooth whitening is one of the least invasive ways to improve one’s smile. This popularity has led to the growth of direct-to-consumer options that often get around the legality by using non-peroxide based products that not only have little to no efficacy in whitening one’s teeth but many OTC products are in fact harmful to teeth and their surrounding structures. Members of the public seeking OTC products are leaving themselves open to harm with virtually no recourse when things go wrong.  Over many years at The British Dental Bleaching Society we have been striving to highlight to the public this exact issue and we therefore fully support The Safe Smiles Campaign.”

A special toolkit has been created to help dental professionals support the campaign and share the importance of safe dentistry.

The toolkit is available on the campaign website at www.dentalhealth.org/safesmiles.

Reference:

  1. ORAL HEALTH FOUNDATION (2020) ‘National Dental Survey’ Atomik Research. UK. Sample 2,004.

BSDHT issues statement on GDC’s introduction of ARF instalment plan

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) welcomes the decision taken by the General Dental Council, introducing an option to pay the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) in instalments.

The pandemic has been a difficult time financially for many dental professionals, so this new option to split the payment into four, more manageable, quarterly direct debits of £28.50 for dental hygienists and dental therapists is likely to make a considerable difference for a number of individuals.

The Society is glad that the regulator has listened to the concerns of the BSDHT and its members, and has made this more flexible option available. Hopefully this measure will make a difference for many dental hygienists and dental therapists and in the future.

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk, call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk

BSDHT to present Dental Therapist and Dental Hygienist of the Year Awards at the 2021 Dental Awards

The awards for Dental Therapist and Dental Hygienist of the Year at the 2021 Dental Awards, the original and most respected awards programme in UK dentistry, have gained added prestige as they will now be presented by the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy (BSDHT).  

The awards are open for entries to all Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists, regardless of their status as a BSDHT member. For an entry brochure, visit https://the-probe.co.uk/awards/the-dental-awards-2021/.  

Following this announcement, the entry deadline for these awards has been extended to Friday 5th March 2021. 

Diane Rochford, BSDHT President, commented: “BSDHT is delighted to formally partner and support the Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapist of the Year awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate and honour the dedication, innovation and talents of dental hygienists and dental therapists in the UK.” 

“Over the course of more than two decades, The Dental Awards has established itself as the most highly regarded awards honour in the profession,” said James Cooke, managing editor of the dental portfolio at Purple Media Solutions, including The Probe. “It is with great excitement that we announce this new partnership with the BSDHT, which will see the awards for Dental Therapist of the Year and Dental Hygienist of the Year held in even higher esteem. 

“While we highly encourage Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists to stand up and be counted for all that they’ve achieved over the course of an extremely challenging year, don’t forget that you can also ensure other members of your team – or even your entire practice – can be nominated for recognition in their own respective categories.” 

The BSDHT’s membership is open to all Dental Hygienist and Dental Therapists, as well as students. Representatives of the BSDHT maintain an ongoing dialogue with the General Dental Council (GDC), the Departments of Health and all the main groups representing dental care professionals. BSDHT attends meetings of the dental All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), bringing dental hygiene and therapy to the attention of government ministers and MPs. 

Being a member of BSDHT gives you access to a range of benefits as well as support throughout your career. The BSDHT continually aims to improve the benefits provided to members – the most recent addition being ‘BSDHT Indemnity’ – a unique indemnity policy specially created for Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.bsdht.org.uk/

2021 marks the 22nd edition of the Dental Awards. Over the years, this prestigious event has recognised the outstanding individuals and teams whose commitment and drive continues to raise standards throughout the UK dentistry profession. 

The Dental Awards is supported by the UK’s leading dental magazine publisher, Purple Media Solutions, and is unquestionably the premier awards programme for UK dentistry.     

Winning or being a finalist is a tremendous accolade and provides a massive publicity boost to the profile of your practice and your team. After all, who wouldn’t want to be treated by the Dentist or the Dental Team of the Year? 

For more information, call 01732 371570 or contact awards@purplems.com. 

Click here to download a 2021 entry brochure! 

Register your entry for £25 per entrant per category by 5th March 2021. 

A huge thank you to The Dental Awards 2021 sponsors: B.A. International, Colgate, Colosseum Dental, Dental Elite, the Oral Health Foundation, and Water Pik.

BSDHT supporting patient gum health with Flossuary

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) is delighted to be supporting Flossuary – an innovative initiative running this February, designed to help patients improve their gum health.

The aim is to challenge patients to clean interdentally once a day for 28 consecutive days, enabling them to see the difference this can make to their gum health. There is also an online resource – https://flossuary.com/ – accessible to all that provides advice on easy-to-use, good value products recommended by professionals. It includes instructional videos, information on the benefits of effective interdental cleaning and a Flossuary starter pack free for any UK resident.

Diane Rochford, BSDHT President, comments: “The practice I work at will be participating, not only as a way to motivate patients during this current lockdown, but also as a team we will take up the challenge!”

Visit the website or follow BSDHT on social media for more information and ideas on how to engage with your patients this Flossuary!

Flossuary resources are available at https://flossuary.com/

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk, call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk.

Leading oral health organisations team up with GSK to provide toothpaste to the vulnerable of Manchester

The Oral Health Foundation and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy have teamed up with GSK to provide over 100,000 tubes of Sensodyne toothpaste to the vulnerable and those in need in Greater Manchester.

This mammoth community effort, facilitated by Manchester based charity Community 4X4, will see toothpaste distributed to places all over Greater Manchester. Those that will be receiving the toothpastes include homeless people, residents in care homes, people who use foodbanks and those who don’t have easy access to dental products or whom may have limited financial resources.

Talking about the impact that this donation will have, Emma Hall-Scullin, consultant dental public health, Public Health England North West, said: “Greater Manchester has some of the highest levels of tooth decay in the country and this is one of the many initiatives being undertaken to address this. Twice- daily toothbrushing is extremely important to maintain oral health and prevent tooth decay.”

Dr Ben Atkins, President of the Oral Health Foundation, hopes this donation will go far in boosting the oral health of those in Manchester who otherwise might be struggling during this difficult time: “It’s vital that oral health is maintained, not just for health of the mouth but also for mental health as well. We hope that this donation of Sensodyne toothpaste will allow those that receive them to get all the benefits that come with healthy teeth and gums and put a smile on their face.”

President of the BDSHT, Diane Rochford, added: “On behalf of the BSDHT I’d like to thank GSK for their generous donation. These toothpaste samples will make a huge difference to those in need and reinforce the fact that these items are a necessity, not just a luxury for those more fortunate.”

Of course, the donation would not have been possible if it weren’t for GSK, a spokesperson for the organisation said: “We are really pleased to help support the communities of Greater Manchester with this toothpaste donation, in a year where there have been significant limitations to dental service delivery.”

The Oral Health Foundation would also like to extend a special thanks to Singletons Transport who kindly offered their services for free to help deliver the toothpastes.

As commented on earlier, this year has indeed provided a number of challenges for the dental profession and the public alike. The Oral Health Foundation is committed to supporting the public with their oral health during this difficult time which is why we continue to run our Dental Helpline. The Helpline has helped hundreds of thousands of callers with their oral health problems and queries. It is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and can be reached on 01788 539780.

For more information about the Dental Helpline as well as the Oral Health Foundation’s wider activities head to www.dentalhealth.org.

OHC 2020: a show to remember

This year, the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) hosted their highly anticipated annual Oral Health Conference (OHC) online. This decision was made to keep delegates safe and enabled attendees to learn in comfort, with sessions timed in the evenings and weekends so that individuals could work the show around their professional schedules.

The theme of this year was SEE AND BE SEEN – with all sessions focusing on building skills, helping individuals evolve in their roles and perfect engagement with patients and team members alike.

Day one

Diane Rochford, the newly elected President of the BSDHT, kicked off the conference by explaining the online format. Delegates could access resources from sponsors, as well as speak to one another in a live chat function. Furthermore, the set up allowed delegates to view the poster presentations and to type questions during educational sessions, meaning they could instantly engage with the material and share their thoughts and ideas.

This online interface was incredibly easy to navigate, and one huge bonus was that delegates could access what they wanted, when they wanted, allowing everyone to explore what was on offer on their own terms.

Josie Hastings

The programme started strong on Thursday evening with a session on unconscious bias, hosted by Josie Hastings. In this lecture, Josie explored the way that our mind uses bias as a sort of shortcut – leading us to make preconceived decisions and perceptions based on our own experiences. While helpful in some ways, Josie argued that this unconscious bias is also very harmful in professional settings, especially as we may use it to make assumptions about people of a certain sex, race, background, sexuality and more.

A fun and informative blend of online exercises and questions helped delegates to understand the way that their mind works and the unconscious bias that may be there, while Josie also encouraged delegates to type examples of unconscious bias into the chat function to broaden the conversation.

Following this, the evening finished with a more clinical lecture by Nicola West. Focused on dentine hypersensitivity and how to manage this in practice, this session delved into why dentine hypersensitivity is becoming more common and how certain actions and behaviours are exacerbating the problem. Supported by plenty of new research and interesting sources, this lecture also served to educate delegates on how best to help patients with dentine hypersensitivity.

Day two

The legal panel

Friday evening saw an interesting start with a panel session surrounding BSDHT Indemnity. Featuring representatives from FTA Law, Lloyd & Whyte and BGP (providers of the BSDHT Indemnity policy) this panel discussion was formed to help delegates with any legal concerns. Topics covered indemnity policies and questions about dental nurse support, as well as the legality of providing a potential Coronavirus vaccine in the future. The session also covered the ins and outs of the legal perspectives involved if professionals set up their own practices.

This session generated a lot of questions, and delegates added many queries to the discussion that were all answered by the experts.

Following a brief session hosted by Oral-B, delegates finished Friday evening with a session from Ian Dunn surrounding the shame patients feel when they have periodontitis and how profoundly this condition affects them.

A lighthearted but also very informative talk, Ian Dunn delved into the science behind periodontitis and biofilm, and the emotional impact that periodontitis has on individuals. The primary goal was to motivate patients to change their behaviour in order to prevent and help lessen the impact of periodontitis, and this meant that delegates were given tips on how to speak and engage with patients, with case studies to help support the evidence.

Day three

The third and final day of this year’s OHC saw Diane Rochford hand over to Anna Middleton of London Hygienist fame and Alif Moosajee for a session exploring the benefits of using digital intraoral scanners during hygiene appointments.

This session highlighted how these systems could be used to inform patients on their oral hygiene and improve consent. The speakers included information about the systems for those interested too.

Moving on to one of the most empowering talks of the conference, Megan Fairhall’s session encouraged attendees to think outside of the box and explore what their career and skills really meant to them. She delved into the various career options available for individuals both within and outside of dentistry, and explained how she was using her skills to form multiple streams of income – something that could be achieved easily by anyone with qualifications in dental hygiene and therapy.

Megan really encouraged people to look within themselves and pinpoint their interests, strengths and goals, as well as setting out the available paths in education, online marketing, sponsorship and beyond which people could take to diversify and enrich their working lives. This session was very well received with multiple people saying how inspired they were by the end.

Claire Bennett was named Student of the Year

Then it was time for the annual Awards. The Student of the Year Award went to Claire Bennett from Cardiff University. Commended for her dedication to the industry, Claire, who has completed her degree in Dental Therapy, has worked in dentistry for over 24 years and called receiving the award a “great honour and privilege”.

Due to the high number of exceptional entries for the poster competition this year, the BSDHT extended the accolades to include five winners instead of three. The Student Poster winner was Sejal Dave, while the Highly Commendable award went to Laura McClune. Bronze was awarded to Dr Malaaika Al-Koky, Silver went to Anne Ford, and the Gold prize went to Aylen Dervish – huge congratulations to them all!

A panel discussion on chairside dental nurse support then followed lunch, giving delegates the chance to learn more about this important issue, which is one of the BSDHT’s core aims. This session looked at how many people currently have dental nurse support. This was a surprisingly large amount but showed that there is more to be done until dental hygienists and dental therapists receive the support they need in practice.

A zippy session by Claire McCarthy about hand instrumentation followed, generating so much interest that delegates begged to have practical sessions on the topic incorporated into next year’s show.

Claire explained the ergonomics of using hand instruments and the general care routines these instruments need in order to remain effective. It definitely highlighted an area that many delegates were unsure about, and there were a lot of questions at the end asking for guidance, which Claire was happy to provide!

Following this, Fiona Ellwood put mental health into the spotlight with a session focusing on mental health and how this has been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. A Mental Health First Aider, Fiona made it clear how important it is to have someone in practice that can be there for people when they are struggling, especially during highly stressful times. An astute and thoughtful insight into mental health as a whole, this session provided delegates with a chance for self reflection and made it very clear just how important it is to prioritise our mental health as well as our physical health.

Finally, Tim Newton closed the show with his session on behaviour change and oral health outcomes. Tying in a lot of the themes from other lectures, this session really hammered home the message of the importance of helping patients to improve their oral health behaviours.

A blend of scientific insight into behaviour formation and change as well as pertinent oral health evidence, this session was a brilliant way to round off the show, leaving delegates with a lot to think about and apply in their careers.

An exceptional event

The OHC this year overcame the challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic to deliver an engaging and exciting event that left hundreds feeling inspired. The BSDHT proved that its focus on supporting and uplifting members continues, and put together a show that demonstrated, even in times of adversity, the community surrounding dental hygiene and therapy is strong and ready to make positive change.

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk, call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk.

Philips sponsors a lecture duet about digital scanning at the Oral Health Conference this November

A joint lecture being presented at the BSDHT’s Oral Health Conference by Hygienist Anna Middleton and Dentist Alif Moosajee will examine how and why a digital intraoral scanner is an invaluable tool for the whole dental team, and how it not only enhances teamwork and improves workflow, but ultimately enriches the patient experience, improves communication about their treatments and what can be achieved for them.

The speakers will illustrate how harnessing digital technology has helped create a closer work bond and communication flow between dentist and hygienist/ therapist.

For Anna Middleton the digital scanner she uses has also served as a fantastic educational tool which has helped her have deeper discussions with patients as they can immediately see their teeth on the screen. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and this couldn’t be more useful in practice for igniting engagement.

As Anna commented: “Intra-oral scanning is very powerful for effective communication, consent, long term monitoring and record keeping, and can all be undertaken as part of a hygienist-therapist’s scope of practice. My business was founded after the awarding of direct access status, and often I am the first person a new patient meets in practice. Within my scope of practice, I am able to do so much to engage with patients and what I really enjoy is the ability to offer completely tailored long term solutions for them. I find a treatment plan sells itself because of the insights the iTero system I use provides, and the increased case uptake makes it highly profitable for the practice”.

Alif Moosajee advises that in his practice, there is no doubt that the role of a hygienist and therapist is of paramount importance and during this lecture, he will highlight the benefits of working in tandem with his, from a practice principal’s perspective:

“Patients are becoming more savvy and more willing than ever to have private treatment. They see all these lovely bright white smiles in the media and have high expectations when they come through our doors. They do not understand the journey they have to go through and that’s where we, as a team, need to work on their expectations and set realistic goals”.

He adds: “Dentistry should be fun and exciting. But if you don’t have the right tools and a good team behind you, that’s when you are left with a degree of unpredictability that can cause stress. And that’s why digital dentistry is not something to dismiss for future consideration. With a strong team, digital scanners can enable some of the workload to be delegated, which frees up the dentist to undertake more high value treatments. Your hygienist and therapist can also bring in patients who will ultimately ask for more high value dentistry. So the whole team process spirals positively”.

Implementing a digital strategy for the practice, the team and the patient enables the initiation of a much more efficient workflow. Anna explains that all new patients are seen by her for an hour, and during this time she performs a scan and triages patients, referring them to other members of the team.

She has found that there are many more hygienists and therapists carving out their own businesses and brands and seeking further autonomy. They are looking to expand their scope of practice and vary their daily work. Digital scanning is just one of the many additional skills they can add to their armory to enhance the way they work.

Well-defined: Making the link between digital scanning and tooth whitening

The link between digital scanning and tooth whitening is well-defined; as an intra-oral scanner can be used to create highly accurate digital impressions from which to fabricate tailored trays for every patient, doing away with the need for alginate and ensuring the most accurate fitting trays – and an enhanced patient experience.

Whitening is a gateway treatment and an obvious channel for hygienists and therapists to engage with patients. According to Anna, who is a Philips Ambassador, that’s where the magic happens. Tooth whitening also provides a platform for hygienist and therapist to develop new skills and thrive in practice. It also increases referrals to the dentist as patients invariably want to progress to more complex treatments. It is a win: win with everyone in the team working on more interesting and fulfilling cases.

By empowering the hygienist/therapist to undertake whitening, the dentist can focus on what they do best without wasting precious clinical time on treatments which can be beautifully handled by the hygienist and therapist. The practice wins by adding more value to patients, and profitability will always follow.

According to Anna, delegates will gain a better understanding about intra-oral scanning and its benefits to the patient, the practice and the team from the point of view of a hygienist and a practice principal to achieve multi-disciplinary care, which they can then take back to their practices to discuss and implement.

Alif concurs: “I hope that the talk is going to provide a good insight to understand what digital implementation has done for my practice, for my patients, and for me as principal. I will explain how important it is to get your team on board, how to manage your time effectively and maximise your potential”.

He adds, “People who would like to investigate digitalisation further can often request a loan scanner and see how it can be utilised in their own practice before committing – and I wonder how soon it will be before they realise they can’t do without it?”

Delegates will leave with a practical understanding of how to acquire a good scan for best patient results and start applying this information to their hygiene-therapy scope of practice, including tooth whitening, pre-orthodontics, restorative and patient monitoring.

The duo hopes to encourage dental professionals to get scanning and familiarise themselves with the wide variety of scanner functions by practicing on team members and then patients. They need to learn how they can use this fantastic tool to maximise their patients’ outcomes – functional, aesthetic and oral health for years to come.

Both Alif Moosajee and Anna Middleton are Philips Ambassadors. Their lecture iTero scanning – why and how? takes place at the BSDHT Annual Conference on Saturday 28th November 2020 at 10:05.

For more information about the BSDHT Conference, please visit https://www5.shocklogic.com/scripts/jmevent/Registration.asp?Client_Id=%27PP%27&Project_Id=%27BSDHT20V%27&System_Id=2

BSDHT supports BADN in its call for recognition of dental nurses’ contributions to dentistry

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) thanks the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) for their support of our campaign to raise awareness and inspire change for chairside dental nurse support to be the accepted norm for all dental hygienists and dental therapists working in clinical practice.

To drive the campaign forward we lend our full support to BADN in their call for dental nurses to be recognised for their contribution to dentistry. Dental nurses are registered dental care professionals and must be recognised as such – by employers, by colleagues and by the NHS. 

BSDHT supports BADN’s call for all dental nurses in general dental practice to be paid a salary which acknowledges not only their invaluable contribution to the dental team but also their training, knowledge and professionalism. This does mean not just minimum wage.  

The NHS should also afford dental nurses working in NHS practices the same rights and benefits as all other NHS employees.

BSDHT and BADT contact GDC concerning overseas dentists registering as Dental Therapists and Hygienists without practical assessment

The British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) have taken the unusual step of directly contacting each appointed Council member of the General Dental Council regarding overseas dentists registering as Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists without any practical assessment of clinical skills.

Both BADT and BSDHT feel that continuing interactions with the executive function of the GDC regarding this matter have failed to produce any positive movement towards change in a situation that both organisations feel compromises patient safety. By directly raising awareness to the appointed Council members, BADT and BSDHT hope to move the discussion into the public forum to ensure change, in order to “protect patient safety and maintain public confidence in dental services”.

The letter reads as follows:

The British Association of Dental Therapists and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy are jointly lobbying all members of Council to initiate an urgent and public Council meeting agenda item regarding the registration of overseas trained dentists (outwith the EEA) as dental hygienists and dental therapists without any practical assessment of their ability to diagnose and treat dental disease.

There has been a 300% increase via this route to registration since 2017 and is being fuelled by several agencies actively recruiting individuals predominantly from India and Pakistan. These agencies advertise and demonstrate that this route to registration requires no Overseas Registration Exam (ORE). We have evidence of dentists who have failed the ORE more than once yet gone on to register as dental hygienists and dental therapists. When asked, the GDC refuses to share the legal advice they were given that led to this flood of registrations.

Are you, a member of Council, satisfied the “robust” process applied by the Registration Assessment Committee satisfies your remit of protecting patients? We, the BADT and BSDHT, advise all members of Council that this route to registration presents risk of serious harm to patients because of the lack of a practical skills assessment. We strongly feel that the mapping of learning outcomes carried out by the Registration Committee is woefully inadequate. We do not accept the representation by GDC executive arm that a lack of evidence of harm being caused by these individuals demonstrates the above is a safe route to registration as a dental hygienist and dental therapist.

13 of the 15 tests applied at an ORE are applicable to the scope of practice of dental hygienists and dental therapists. Various Freedom of Information Requests that have been shared publicly clearly demonstrate that around 50% of those taking the ORE fail at the practical assessment stage. We say that this is evidence enough that there is an obvious risk of patients coming to permanent harm should these individuals go on to register as dental hygienists and dental therapists. We ask:

Would you choose an individual who has failed the ORE, gone on to register as a dental therapist, to extract your children’s teeth; would you let them provide you with a filling? We ask you apply the daughter test to the above question.

Would you allow your daughter to undergo treatment by such an individual?

We contend that Section 36C (5)(a)(ii) of the Dentist Act gives the GDC the power to enforce a test on these individuals. We ask that the GDC suspend this route to registration in the interest of patient safety and treats this matter with the upmost urgency.

BSDHT issues letter highlighting the importance of dental nursing support for Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) has sent out a letter highlighting the importance of dental nursing support for Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists.

The letter emphasised the requirement for Dental Nurse support for all clinicians, as per the GDC Standards for the Dental Team. It positions the BSHDT very firmly in the debate, taking the opportunity to encourage action on this very important topic.

The BSDHT takes the needs, concerns and challenges faced by its members very seriously and will do everything in its power to ignite change and improve the working environment for all Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists in the UK. The Society has written to an array of professional organisations and associations to seek their support in the fight to provide the necessary support for Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists in practice.

If you would like more information, or you’d like to get involved, please contact the BSDHT today.

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk

call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk