Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Do you have an opinion or some- thing to say on any Dental Tribune UK article? Or would you like to write your own opinion for our guest comment page? If so don’t hesitate to write to: The Editor, Dental Tribune UK Ltd, 4th Floor, Treasure House, 19-21 Hatton Garden, London, EC1 8BA Or email: lisa@healthcare-learning.com Editorial comment T his week is a landmark time for dental pro- fessionals who sup- ply tooth whitening to their patients. Finally it will be possible to provide patients with take home whitening kits that will provide results that won’t see you looking over your shoulder for the nice guys and gals from Trading Standards. Tif Qureshi, president of the BACD, has released this state- ment: After many years of un- certainty regarding the legality of tooth whitening in the UK, the BACD welcomes the amend- ment to the UK cosmetic regu- lations as a result of European Council Directive 2011/84/EU that finally legalises tooth whit- ening by dental professionals. Dental professionals hope that this change signals the beginning of a new era for patient safety, in which only registered dental professionals will be providing tooth whiten- ing treatments. This would be in accord with the view of the GDC that tooth whitening is the practice of dentistry. We commend the work the GDC does protecting patients and re-affirm our support for its work prosecuting non- dentists illegally providing whitening. We call on Trading Standards departments across the UK to embolden their ap- proach in tackling non-dentists who illegally provide whiten- ing treatments and continue to put the public at risk. And we call on the beau- ty industry to ensure that its members, and those who train them, understand the new legal framework and leave whiten- ing to those who can provide it legally, safely and in the best interests of patients; the dental profession. The future’s bright, the future is six per cent hydrogen peroxide! DT T he GDC’s decision to freeze the Annual Retention Fee (ARF) at £120 for dental nurses in 2013 is “inadequate” says Nicola Docherty, President of the British Association of Dental Nurses. The decision shows that the GDC is “out of touch with regis- trants” says Nicola. “We have sup- plied the GDC with detailed infor- mation on dental nurse salaries, showing that the £120 ARF causes considerable financial hardship to dental nurses. We have also re- quested that the GDC lower the ARF for dental nurses to a fee more in line with salaries - instead of charging dental nurses the same ARF as hygienists and therapists - and that they implement a special fee for those working part time.” A recent salary survey con- ducted by BADN shows that the majority of Registered Dental Nurses are paid between £10,000 and £20,000 per year - in contrast with hygienists and therapists, whose recommended starting sal- ary is £26,000. However, the GDC has decided to continue charging one ARF to all Dental Care Profes- sionals, completely disregarding the fact that dental nurses earn less than half that of hygienists and therapists. “BADN has always supported, and continues to support, regis- tration in principle, as being in the best interests of the patient. However, the GDC’s heavy hand- ed and insensitive implementa- tion, including the imposing of an unreasonable ARF, has alienated many dental nurses and must be rectified as soon as possible” said Nicola. DT ARF freeze ‘inadequate’ 3NewsOctober 29 - November 4, 2012United Kingdom Edition