Why Colour is the Elephant in the Room – Webinar to explore experiences from the dental profession

On Tuesday 21st July at 7pm, FGDP(UK), in collaboration with ProDental CPD and the College of General Dentistry, is hosting a webinar titled Why Colour is the Elephant in the Room, which will take a look at real life experiences of and what we can do about racism in dentistry.

Looking at the response of the dental profession to the Black Lives Matter movement, the webinar aims to provide an honest exploration of racial inequality and prejudice with real life experiences from colleagues working in all areas of dentistry.

Chaired by FGDP(UK) dean Ian Mills, the panel will comprise:

CPD will be available. GDC outcomes: A,B,C,D

To register for the event, follow this link.

FGDP(UK) issues statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racism

George Floyd’s horrific death and the events of the last month have highlighted the issues of inequality and racism that are present globally, including in the UK.

The FGDP(UK) is proud of its long standing commitment to promoting equality and inclusion. The diversity of our Board is central to its effective representation of the general dental profession, however we know that more needs to be done. We want to be proactive in addressing these issues in our organisation and in our profession. We stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and are an anti-racist organisation.

The FGDP(UK) represents general dental practices throughout the UK. The dental team is a diverse community of dental care professionals which includes many members of the BAME community. The term BAME is homogenous and describes a wide group in which the members have very different experiences. We are aware Black colleagues are a more disadvantaged group and do not have equality of representation and opportunity in dentistry. We are committed to addressing the impact of discrimination and believe this will benefit our patients and our profession.

Actions we will be taking immediately; we will:

  1. Educate ourselves about the issues that affect the various groups within the BAME community, and ensure our organisation actively promotes inclusion at every level. As part of this, we will review our ongoing equality and diversity training for FGDP(UK) Board members and educational programme leads to ensure that it is fit for purpose, and can implement positive and lasting change.
  2. Invite dental health care representatives from Black, Asian, Chinese and other minority groups to join a task force, to be chaired by FGDP(UK) Vice Dean Onkar Dhanoya, to identify the areas in dentistry which directly or indirectly disadvantage these groups.
  3. Collaborate with organisations and individuals across the profession to actively promote equality, diversity and inclusivity in general dental practice.

Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), Ian Mills (pictured), said: “This is an extremely important issue and I am extremely grateful to Onkar, and many other colleagues, who have had a significant role in influencing changes within dentistry. I am proud of the progress which our Faculty has made over the years to embrace equality and diversity, but it is clear that we still have significant work to do. The first step is to acknowledge that inequality exists within many areas of dentistry, and large sections of our profession are at a disadvantage in terms of opportunities and progression. This is particularly evident in relation to leadership roles within dentistry, where there is a distinct lack of diversity within many organisations. The FGDP(UK) and the new College of General Dentistry are amongst a number of dental organisations who are committed to influencing change to ensure that there are equal opportunities for all.”

BSP, FGDP, CGDent issue joint statement on the provision of a dental prophylaxis under Level 4/3 Covid-19 alert status

The British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry (BSP), Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) and College of General Dentistry (CGDent), working with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer for England, have issued a joint statement to clarify and contextualise the differences in guidance issued relating to the provision of a dental prophylaxis under Level 4/3 Covid-19 alert status:

The BSP guidance relates to prophylaxis as part of professional mechanical plaque removal (PMPR) in  people with periodontitis. The FGDP guidance relates to the more general term of ‘tooth polishing’,  which may not necessarily be undertaken for therapeutic reasons.  

The international evidence‐based S3‐level treatment guidelines in periodontology strongly recommend PMPR (highest evidence level: 100% consensus) in managing periodontitis. Clinical  harms may result in periodontitis patients if this is withheld.  

A prophylaxis undertaken with a slow speed handpiece, with no water, reduced prophy paste and due diligence, is considered a Non‐Aerosol Generating Procedure (non‐AGP) as defined by emergent particle sizes (WHO 2007) and can be safely undertaken with level 2 PPE (R11 mask, gloves,  goggles/visor, plastic apron over scrubs). However, non‐AGP procedures are not without some risk and polishing teeth for cosmetic reasons is not recommended until Level 2 alert status is reached.  Prophylaxis does cause splatter which can travel in a ballistic manner between 15‐120cm from  patients’ mouths and which may contact the eyes, mouth and skin of the operator/assistant; hence the need for level 2 PPE. Teeth should be dried with gauze and high volume aspiration is recommended.  

The BSP guidance provides a risk categorisation based on procedure. The FGDP-CGDent guidance adopts a similar approach but uses the terms low and high‐risk Aerosol Generated Exposure (AGE), to ensure additional factors are taken into consideration when considering exposure to risk. These include length of procedural exposure to splatter, risk of exposure to naturally-generated aerosol (coughing, sneezing or breathing), and the potential to apply mitigation measures. These are different approaches and both have value and require professional judgement by clinicians on a case-by‐case basis, whilst accounting for the Covid‐19 risk of the operator and assistant.

Professor Nicola X West, Honorary Secretary, British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry

Ian Mills, Dean, Faculty of General Dental Practice UK, and Trustee, College of General Dentistry

Sara J Hurley, Chief Dental Officer for England

FGDP(UK) presents its 2020 Fellowship Awards

The Faculty has conferred Fellowships on ten individuals in recognition of their exceptional professional achievements. 

FGDP(UK) Fellowship marks out a dentist’s ongoing commitment to professional development and reflective practice, diligence in upholding the highest standards of clinical care, and distinction in management and leadership, law and ethics, education and/or research.

Honorary Fellowship

Professor Jeremy Bagg OBE received Honorary Fellowship, which is bestowed on those who have made an exceptional contribution to the profession.

Professor of Clinical Microbiology and Head of Glasgow Dental School, Professor Bagg graduated from the University of Edinburgh, where he was also awarded a PhD. He moved to Glasgow in 1991 after eight years lecturing at Cardiff Dental School, during which he gained his Fellowship in Dental Surgery and Membership of the Royal College of Pathologists. He has published over 160 papers on the role of oral micro-organisms in systemic disease, oral infections in the medically compromised, infection control in dental surgery and public health microbiology. Chairman of the National Dental Advisory Committee in the Scottish Government and of the Steering Group of the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme, and previously Vice Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, he has also been instrumental in the establishment of a new dental school in Malawi, and was awarded an OBE in 2018 for services to dentistry.

Fellowship by election

Gerry Boyle, Janet Clarke MBE, Paul Cooney, Matthew Garrett, Davinderpal Kooner, Patricia Marsden and Kenneth McDonald have been elected to the Fellowship in recognition of their exceptional career records and active support of the Faculty and its mission.

Gerry Boyle has a significant track record of selfless dedication to the dental profession during 30 years as a GDP, and has made a significant contribution to the growth and on-going success of the FGDP(UK) West of Scotland division. A tutor on the divisional diploma exam preparation programmes, and past Treasurer of the division, he has also served on the Local Dental Committee, BDA committees, as a Dental Practice Inspector and Dental Practice Advisor. He has also assisted the Scottish Government on various projects, and has taken up a new role as Dental Advisor with NHS Scotland Practitioner Services.

Janet Clarke MBE graduated from Birmingham Dental School in 1981, and went on to work in general practice and the community dental service throughout the Midlands. She completed a Master’s degree in Community Dental Health in 1989 and was appointed Clinical Director for South Birmingham Community Dental Services in 1991, becoming Associate Director for Community and Hospital Dental Services in Birmingham and beyond by 2015. She chaired the British Dental Association’s Central Committee for Community and Public Health Dentistry for six years until 2008. A member of the team led by Professor Jimmy Steele which published the Independent Review of NHS Dentistry in 2009, she was awarded the MBE for services to dentistry in 2010 and served as President of the BDA in 2011. She was Deputy Chief Dental Officer for England, and Chair of West Midlands Local Dental Network, from 2016-19, and is a Trustee of the College of General Dentistry.

Paul Cooney graduated from Glasgow University in 1998, completed a Master’s Degree in Dental Primary Care in 2003 and gained his MJDF in 2010. Lead Tutor for the West of Scotland diploma exam preparation programmes from 2013-2018, he has been a role model for countless dentists in training due to his commitment to high standards and education, and his ability to inspire candidates with enthusiasm and confidence. A central figure in the highly successful annual FGDP(UK) Scotland Study Days, he has developed and led its programme stream for BDS students and VDP dentists, and also serves as the Faculty’s ambassador at Glasgow’s Vocational Trainee Case Presentation days.

Matthew Garrett is a consultant in restorative dentistry at Eastman Dental Institute and Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS). After graduating in mathematics, he subsequently applied for dentistry, qualifying in 2001 from Bristol, to where he later returned to train as a restorative specialist after posts in Edinburgh, Sheffield and London. With interests centring around the oral rehabilitation of patients with significant developmental and acquired defects, he was awarded a Specialist Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry from the RCS in 2010, has since completed an MSc in Postgraduate Dental Studies and is currently undertaking an MA in Clinical Education. He has been closely involved for many years in the delivery of dental examinations and education within the RCS, and has been Chair of the MJDF Core Group since 2016.

Davinderpal Kooner graduated from University College London in 1980, and after joining the Community Dental Service in Kent and undertaking two associate positions, set up his own primary practice in Hounslow in 1984, later gaining the Faculty’s Diploma in General Dental Practice (DGDP(UK)) and Membership in General Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. A Regional and Vocational Training Advisor for the London Deanery for seventeen years, he also mentored and prepared dentists for Faculty examinations as course organiser and tutor of its Central London division study group. A former examiner for the DGDP(UK) and the MFGDP(UK) diplomas and the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses, he has also served as professional member of the GDC Fitness to Practice Panel, the First Tier Tribunal and Family Health Services Appeals Authority, and is an Education Supervisor for Health Education England. A non-executive director of both Dentists Provident and Dental Protection, he is also a Justice of the Peace.

Patricia Marsden graduated from Guy’s in 1999, and is an Associate Specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Bart’s and Deputy Chair of the Trust’s Medical Council. Specialising in dentoalveolar surgery, and with interests in acupuncture and the management of myofascial pain, she is also involved in undergraduate and postgraduate education as a Clinical Supervisor and Honorary Clinical Lecturer, and helps provide nationally recognised accreditation and training of GDPs with enhanced skills in oral surgery. An Examiner for the MJDF and ORE for over ten years, since 2017 she has been Chair of the Examinations Board for the FGDP(UK) Diploma in Primary Care Oral Surgery.

Kenneth McDonald graduated in 1986 and spent two years working in the hospital service before entering general practice. He completed his MSc in restorative dentistry at Glasgow University in 1991. Since gaining his MFGDP(UK) in 2008, he has played an active role supporting the Faculty’s postgraduate education delivery in Scotland as divisional secretary, a divisional tutor for the diploma exam preparation programmes, and in helping organise the annual FGDP(UK) Scotland Study Day. He has also served among other things on the Local Dental Committee and Scottish Dental Practice Committee.

Diploma of Fellowship

Mark Doyle and Shamir Mehta have received the Diploma of Fellowship, which recognises the diversity of an individual’s expertise and their achievements in delivering excellence in primary dental care.

Mark Doyle qualified from Bristol Dental School in 1985, worked as an associate dentist in Hampshire before buying a practice in Hereford in 1994, and has been a partner at Collins House Dental Surgery in the town since 2000. He then spent five years as a Foundation Trainer, during which he gained the MFGDP(UK) qualification. Also working as a Practice Advisor for Denplan, he has a Diploma in Dental Postgraduate Studies, a distinction in the FGDP(UK) Certificate of Practice Appraisal, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education.

Shamir Mehta is Deputy Programme Director for the MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry at King’s College London, a Partner at My Dental Surgery in Harrow, and a Senior Clinical Dental Adviser for the GDC. He holds a Master’s in Clinical Dentistry in Prosthodontics, is undertaking a PhD at Radboud College in Nijmegen, and writes and lectures extensively on the management of worn teeth, aesthetic evaluation, clinical occlusion and cracked tooth syndrome. A contributor to European guidelines on the management of severe tooth wear, he is a Panel Member for the King’s College London Research and Ethics Committee, an examiner for several institutions and a reviewer for the British Dental Journal, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation and Dental Update. He is also a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, and the Faculties of Dental Surgery at both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

All Full Members of FGDP(UK) may apply for assessment for Fellowship through the Faculty’s Preparing for Fellowship programme, and upon successful completion may use the post-nominal letters FFGDP(UK). Those who already hold equivalent Fellowship of one of the UK Royal Colleges or a recognised overseas body can apply for Fellowship Ad Eundem.

Further information and application details are available at https://www.fgdp.org.uk/Your-Career/Fellowship

New Vice Deans at FGDP

Susan Nelson and Onkar Dhanoya have been inaugurated as the new Vice Deans of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP(UK)).

Susan is Lead Dentist at Shore Road Dental & Implant Clinic, a private practice in Holywood, County Down, where she specialises in implant dentistry. Graduating with Honours in 1993 from the University of Edinburgh, where she won the McGregor Gold Medal for the most distinguished dental graduate, she completed Vocational Training in Fife before joining the practice as an associate in 1994. A member of FGDP(UK) since 1998, she examined and sat on the core group for the MFGDP(UK) and MJDF for 16 years, and also served as Director of the Faculty’s Northern Ireland division. She was elected to represent the region on the Faculty Board in 2017, re-elected earlier this year and chairs the FGDP(UK) Education and Qualifications Committee. She is also Deputy Chair of the Northern Ireland branch of the BDA, and will take on the role of Regional Clinical Lead for Portman Healthcare later this year.

Onkar has been Principal Dentist at Honour Health, a mixed NHS-and-private dental group, since 1986, providing treatments including dental implants, facial aesthetics and orthodontics at its three practices across the North East of England. Graduating from Newcastle University in 1985, he represents the Yorkshire and Northern region on the FGDP(UK) Board, and holds Fellowships both of the FGDP(UK) and the International College of Dentists. Chair of North Tyne LDC, and past President of the BDA’s Northern Counties branch, he has been a clinical teacher at Newcastle Dental Hospital since 1995. He chairs the Faculty’s Professional Affairs Committee, served as Vice-Dean from 2018-19, and chaired the working group which developed the recently-published Implications of Covid-19 for the safe management of general dental practice.

The new Vice Deans were elected by the Board for one-year terms, and succeed Abhi Pal and Roshni Karia.

Ian Mills, Dean of FGDP(UK), commented: “On behalf of all members of the Faculty, I congratulate Susan and Onkar on their election as Vice-Deans. They bring with them significant experience and insight into general dental practice, which will be of great benefit to myself, FGDP and the wider profession in their new roles. I would also like to express my thanks and appreciation to Abhi and Roshni for their advice and hard work over the last twelve months, and in particular for their support throughout the current pandemic, and I am delighted that they will continue to play important roles on the Board.”

CGDent & FGDP(UK) publish Covid-19 guidance synopsis

The College of General Dentistry and FGDP(UK) have published a synopsis of their guidance on the implications of Covid-19 for the safe management of general dental practice. Production of the synopsis has been supported by Sensodyne.

The new synopsis highlights key recommendations at each step of the patient journey, and is designed to be used in conjunction with the guidance document, which supports dental professionals to take a risk-based approach to providing safe care, whatever the national Covid-19 threat level.

The guidance has also now been updated with some minor amendments. Among these, prophylactic polishing of teeth has been added to the risk stratification matrix, use of face coverings by all patients and carers in non-clinical areas is now recommended (in line with government advice on preventing transmission in enclosed public spaces), and the use of shoe and head coverings is only now advised when indicated by a risk assessment. There are also some clarifications, such as around selection of PPE based on a risk assessment, and on the mopping of floors between patients following treatment carrying a high risk of exposure to aerosol.

Both the synopsis and guidance are available at https://cgdent.uk/standards-guidance and https://www.fgdp.org.uk/implications-covid-19-safe-management-general-dental-practice-practical-guide.

FGDP(UK) and CGDent launch UK guidelines for safe return to general dental practice during Covid-19

As reported on Monday, FGDP(UK) and the newly formed College of General Dentistry (CGDent) have convened an expert task force to review the evidence base for dental practice during the Covid-19 outbreak and have launched the official guidelines ‘Implications of Covid-19 for the safe management of general dental practice – a practical guide’. Dental services are able to resume from Monday 8 June in England.

The UK wide task force panel includes 30 senior members of a number of organisations, including the British Dental Association, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, the Association of Dental Groups, the Association of Dental Implantology and the newly-formed British Association of Private Dentistry and has received support and input from groups across the profession including the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy and the British Association of Dental Nurses. It supports dental professionals to take a risk and evidence-based approach to providing safe care in the current circumstances and allows the flexibility of setting minimum requirements whatever the national Covid-19 threat level.

Ian Mills, Dean of FGDP(UK), commented: “During the initial stages of the pandemic it was important that all but emergency dentistry procedures were paused. However, we are now at a point where the risk to the oral health of the population will be impacted unless practices are able to reopen, albeit with the correct protection for patients and the dental team. This guidance has been developed as a framework to enable the confident and safe return to practice, now and also into the future as the situation with Covid-19 continues to evolve. It is the result of the collaborative effort of a team of dedicated individuals from across the profession who have spent the last few weeks committed to reviewing the evidence, assessing the risks and finding a way forward.”

In line with other FGDP(UK) Guidance and Standards publications, the guidance adopts the ABC (Aspirational, Basic, Conditional) approach to measures with ‘basic’ measures being a minimum standard.

The guidance is divided into five sections – four of which reflect the patient journey and the fifth concerns general management of the practice. These sections are assigned a risk status and ABC based risk mitigation measures to ensure safe practice and include:

  1. Pre-appointment – including the important role of digital communication to minimise contact time
  2. Patient attendance (pre-treatment) – including the communication of new infection control and prevention procedures to patients along with changes to waiting areas
  3. During treatment – including recommendations for approaches to aerosol generated exposures (AGEs), developed using a model based on risk continuum and recommendations for appropriate levels of PPE
  4. After treatment – including procedures to protect patients and staff and the use of an appropriate fallow period following high risk AGEs
  5. Management/governance tasks – including risk assessments for all staff members and awareness of the need to encourage staff to monitor and support if they feel unwell

Onkar Dhanoya, Chair of the Task Group, commented: “These guidelines have been developed to address the specific needs of primary dental care. This includes the recognition that whilst safety of patients and team members is the priority, closure of practices is in itself harming patients, their oral health and psychological wellbeing. The use of the risk matrix tables within the guidance allows us to reflect the varied needs of practices and the fluid nature of the current situation.”

Roshni Karia, Junior Vice Dean, FGDP(UK), said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has brought uncertainty to a number of aspects of daily life. This guidance aims to help develop specific strategies for primary dental care with a realistic approach to what can be achieved in practice. It also provides guidance for supporting patients and staff who may be in greater risk categories. By working together as a team, we can all proceed with confidence and help to sustain trust in dentistry overall.”

For further information and to access a full copy of the guidance please visit https://www.fgdp.org.uk/implications-covid-19-safe-management-general-dental-practice-practical-guide and https://cgdent.uk/2020/06/01/safe-return-to-dental-practice-during-covid-1.

FGDP reveals UK Guidelines for a safe return to dental practice during Covid-19

At midday on Monday 1 June 2020, Ian Mills, Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice [UK] (FGDP), broadcast a brief statement via the organisation’s Facebook page to announce that FGDP and CGDent have published the UK Guidelines for a safe return to dental practice during Covid-19.

The 68-page document is available via the FGDP website – https://www.fgdp.org.uk/implications-covid-19-safe-management-general-dental-practice-practical-guide – and supports dental professionals to take a risk and evidence-based approach to providing safe general dental care in the current circumstances. It was developed jointly with the College of General Dentistry, and with the involvement of a wide range of other national dental organisations.

The document can be accessed here.

“Our guidelines are developed primarily by general dental practitioners, and are aimed at colleagues working in general dental practice,” explained Mills, along with CGDent Trustee Mick Horton and Covid-19 Task Group Chairman Onkar Dhanoya. “This has been particularly important at this critical time, but we could not have delivered this guidance without the support and expertise of many colleagues who work across all fields of healthcare. We have faced a huge challenge over the last few months, both as a profession and as a nation as we deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Many colleagues have been touched by tragedy, and the dental profession has had to face significant hardship as dental practices across the country battle to support their patients, their colleagues and their businesses. The level of uncertainty during the pandemic has led to fear, anxiety and at times anger, as we struggled to cope with the unknown. It was clear that the profession needed specific guidance to support a safe return to practice in the knowledge that they would be able to continue to provide high quality care for their patients.”

Posted by FGDP (UK) on Monday, 1 June 2020

National dental organisations join forces to agree return-to-work guidance

National dental organisations have joined forces to agree guidance for UK general dental practices on returning to work as the coronavirus pandemic eases. The Covid-19 Future Planning Task Group, convened by the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK and College of General Dentistry, brings together senior members of a number of organisations, including the British Dental Association, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Association of Dental Implantology and the newly-formed British Association of Private Dentistry.

Dental care professionals are represented to ensure all members of the dental team are able to contribute to this vital piece of work, and the Task Group includes patient representation as well as significant professional experience and expertise in a range of areas. These include infection prevention and control, practice management and emergency medicine during the Covid-19 pandemic, and further individuals and organisations will be added or consulted over the coming weeks.

Minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmission within and outwith general dental practices as a result of re-opening will bring significant implications for patient care and practice management. The group aims to support and enable a return to practice as soon as it is safe to do so, focussing on key areas to address, identifying or developing practical solutions, and feeding into national planning.

It is highly likely that the measures necessary to safely resume general dental practice will carry substantial financial implications, which will have a profound impact on both NHS and private practices. The increased burden on the NHS will be considerable, and it is clear that the safe treatment of the oral health needs of much of the population will only be possible with significant additional public funding.

The general dental profession has already returned to work in many countries, and the group will draw upon the research, advice and resources already published around the world, as well as those within the UK, adapting and adding to them as necessary to create guidance which is relevant and applicable to primary dental care throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as soon as possible.

50 dentists appointed to new FGDP(UK) Academy

The Faculty of General Dental Practice has announced the appointment of 50 dentists to its new FGDP(UK) Academy. The Academy has been established to recognise significant and ongoing contributions to the academic work of the Faculty at a national level in support of its core purposes.

Appointments are made as Member or Senior Member of the FGDP(UK) Academy in relation to the responsibility and commitment of specified roles, such as in the development of the Faculty’s guidance and standards, and the delivery and assessment of its exams and educational programmes. Membership is for a renewable three-year term and it is intended that the Academy will move across to the College of General Dentistry upon the transfer of the FGDP(UK).

A list of the Members of the Academy appointed to date is here.

Ian Mills, Dean of the Faculty, said: “I am delighted that the Board has seen fit to establish an Academy to recognise the outstanding work of so many of our colleagues in delivering postgraduate dental education and promoting the highest standards of care. There are many Members, Fellows and others who serve the profession and its patients through the Faculty, and I look forward to recognising these contributions with further appointments in the coming months.”