The Probe - Proudly serving the dental profession for over 60 years

SOE – The new ‘contactless’ patient journey – a response to COVID-19 GDC Development Outcome C

Course Dates: 10th July 2020 - 10th August 2022
Enrollment Dates: Enroll Anytime
Who can Enroll: Anyone
Course Language: English
Price: FREE

About the Course

Learning outcomes

On completing this Enhanced CPD article, the reader will understand:

– The importance of patient communication in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

– The importance of a contactless patient journey to safeguard both patients and the dental team

– Why they should automate administrative tasks to reduce the length of time that patients spend in practice

 

 

Course Structure

Instructors

The Probe

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  • Course Categories

    • New preventive approach to dental decision-making welcomed

    Course Dates: Open-ended
    Enrollment Dates: Enroll Anytime
    Who can Enroll:
    Price: FREE

    About the Course

    A new approach to oral health in which prevention of dental disease is central to policy and decision-making is necessary according to Minister of Health Jo Churchill. Her words are warmly welcomed by the British Fluoridation Society. Speaking in the House of Commons in a debate on dentistry (1) (January 14th) she said she was “extremely sympathetic” to a transformation of dentistry to benefit children’s health and reduce inequalities.

    She continued: “I wish to see a change in the way we approach dentistry and oral health. I have asked officials and NHS England (NHSE) to ensure that high-quality preventive work is at the forefront of future provision and that a transformation in commissioning takes place.”

    On the same day as the House of Commons debate, an article (2) went live in an American publication, Salon, which addressed the issue of water fluoridation and health equality. The columnist, Matthew Rozsa began his piece by saying: ”Sorry conspiracy theorists, fluoride helps your teeth and has no ill cognitive effects, study after study shows.” The title of his piece was: ‘Fluoridated water isn’t just good for teeth it can lead to higher incomes too.’

    Reducing health inequalities has become a political priority in the UK, as reflected by Jo Churchill’s House of Commons statement. But water fluoridation is among the health-promoting issues, such as vaccinations, opposed by small but vocal groups in both the UK and USA. 

    One area where water fluoridation is badly needed is Hull where it has been under consideration for some years. Elizabeth O’Sullivan, a Consultant in Paediatric Dentistry in Hull, is among the many dentists who support water fluoridation. She said: “So much work has been done to educate families in oral health through a variety of initiatives but we  still we have one of the highest caries rates for 5 year olds in the UK, and up to 1000 children waiting for a general anaesthetic (GA) assessment for dental extractions.”

    “Targeted community water fluoridation is the best way to reach children who have most to gain from a measure which prevents dental decay. If Jo Churchill is willing to push this forward then it can only be a good thing.” 

    Former Health Minister Alan Johnson, also former MP for Hull West and Hessle, now a patron of the British Fluoridation Society said: “No public health issue has attracted more weird conspiracy theories or faced so many false accusations than fluoridation – possibly the most beneficial public health development of the past century.”

    Alan continued: “Everywhere the level of fluoride in the water supply has been increased to optimal level, including in Britain since the 60s, tooth decay and extractions have reduced dramatically with absolutely no adverse effects. It’s time for politicians to begin extending the fluoridation of our water supply.”

    References: 

    1)  https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-01-14/debates/15169201-A026-433C-9105-D5007E11CF88/Covid-19DentalServices

    2) https://www.salon.com/2021/01/14/fluoridated-water-isnt-just-good-for-teeth–it-can-lead-to-higher-incomes-too/

    GSK Health Partner showcases how UK dentistry is rising to the challenge

    Course Dates: Open-ended
    Enrollment Dates: Enroll Anytime
    Who can Enroll:
    Price: FREE

    About the Course

    A new campaign by GSK aims to showcase how dental practices and professionals across the UK have risen to the challenges of effective patient care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    In the video series, GSK showcases the resilience, passion and adaptability of the dental profession as it responds to new guidelines as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The videos are delivered by practitioners who have made small but imaginative changes to help patients to improve their dental health. Five voices, three videos, one goal: to share learnings and inspire better oral health. These videos can be viewed on: https://www.gskhealthpartner.com/en-gb/dentistry-innovation-rising-challenge/.

    The series includes advice from Stuart Garton, a Practice Owner from Liverpool on seizing opportunities to embrace innovation, rethink practice and transform the patient experience. Additional content includes help with behaviour change and how the profession is coming together to evolve dental care including the role of new guidelines as a catalyst for innovation, inspiration and collaboration.

    Andrei Gutierrez, Senior Expert Marketing Manager at GSK comments: “We hope that this series of videos can help to raise the profile of the continued dedication and commitment of the dental team during this challenging time and provide inspiration to other dental care professionals about how guidelines have become a catalyst for innovation, inspiration and collaboration. As Covid-19 restrictions continue across the world, the message of prevention of oral disease is more important than ever”.

    Dentists denied Covid-19 loss-of-earnings claim advised to check their insurance policy

    Course Dates: Open-ended
    Enrollment Dates: Enroll Anytime
    Who can Enroll:
    Price: FREE

    About the Course

    The door has been opened for dental practices and other small businesses to make or resubmit an insurance claim for loss of income arising from Covid-19 restrictions last year. At an appeal hearing last week the Supreme Court ruled largely in favour of small businesses which had initially been denied a pay-out by their insurers.

    Nathan Poole of specialist dental accountants Ross-Brooke Dental, welcomes the news. “We recommend dentists check their policies, and liaise with their insurance brokers if they think there may be grounds for a claim. Dentists may have been told that no claim was possible previously but this new ruling may open the door.”

    The Supreme Court ruling comes after a test case brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acting on behalf of policy holders who had made a claim and been denied a pay-out. The case was fast-tracked to the Supreme Court resulting in a detailed and complex ruling.

    Poole said most commercial insurance policies prioritise property and equipment damage and business interruption cover associated with closure of business due to fire and flood. However, some also cover interruption from disease or public authority closures or restrictions. While a number of insurers accepted liability under such policies, others disputed liability, leading to a lack of clarity and the FCA’s test case.

    He continued: “We have been working with clients to quantify and substantiate their losses which we are finding start from £50k, so substantial sums. Some dentists have already been contacted by their insurer to quantify their claim should this ruling go against them. Now the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of policyholders, we expect to see those claims settled.”

    He said: “A number of our dentist clients have already had pay-outs. Obviously every policy has limitations and clauses specifying the insurers liability, but I believe there will be more dentists who find that the door which had previously been closed to them has been opened and a claim is now possible.”

    His colleague Linda Giles said: “We don’t advise on insurance policies as we are not authorised to do so but we encourage our clients to use specialist brokers to get the best and most appropriate cover for a dental business. We also encourage clients to review their levels of cover regularly and make sure they understand what’s on offer, so they choose a policy to suit their needs.”