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@dentaltribuneuk.com Editorial comment www.colgateprofessional.co.uk ‘Delivering Prevention in Adults’ If your practice has not previously been involved in Colgate Oral Health Month, please call 0161 665 5881 to register. T he British Dental Associa- tion (BDA) has welcomed a proposal that provid- ers of primary dental services in England will not be subject to li- censing by Monitor. The proposal, which is outlined in a Department of Health consultation published today (15 August 2012), follows extensive lobbying by the BDA. The BDA has made the case against the need for Monitor to license dentistry since the possi- bility was raised by the publica- tion of the Health and Social Care Bill in 2010. BDA campaigning has stressed to politicians and the De- partment of Health the extensive regulatory regime to which pri- mary care dentistry is already sub- jected, and has seen BDA officers regularly pressing for confirma- tion that Monitor’s regime would not be applied to the sector. Dr John Milne, Chair of the BDA’s General Dental Practice Committee, said: “Dentistry is already subject to extensive regulation. Adding another, un- necessary layer to the many that already sit across our practices would serve only to tie dentistry up in even more red tape. That’s why the BDA has lobbied hard against the possibility of Moni- tor licensing dental practice. “We are pleased to see that our campaigning appears to have borne fruit and welcome today’s proposal that primary care dentistry will not be sub- jected to Monitor’s regime. This is a sensible recommendation and good news for dental prac- tice.” The consultation document, Protecting and promoting pa- tients’ interests – licensing providers of NHS services, con- siders who will be licensed by Monitor, how licensing will op- erate and the financial penalties that Monitor will be able to im- pose for breaches of its licens- ing conditions. The BDA will be reinforcing its view that what has been recommended is ap- propriate in a formal response to the consultation. DT BDA welcomes Monitor licensing exemption proposal T his week sees the start of Col- gate Oral Health Month (COHM) - a den- tal public health cam- paign now in its tenth year. Aiming to inform and ed- ucate the general public on the importance of good oral health, and to encourage communication between dental professionals and pa- tients, COHM is a partnership between the BDA and Col- gate with activities such as roadshows and a social media campaign to get the message across to the public that oral health is a funda- mental part of overall health. Get involved with the campaign - contact the Col- gate Oral Health Month regis- tration line on 0161 665 5881 for a registration pack and more information about the campaign’s events. As I write, the Paralym- pics are now in full swing so please join me in wishing all competitors (but especially Team GB) the best of luck! DT 3NewsSeptember 3-9, 2012United Kingdom Edition