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 01535 259 871 www.topdental.org sales@topdental.co.uk September SALE FREE Extra Special SUMMER GIFTS minimum spend required * Offers available from 1st July until 30th Sept 2013. Full details on all offers available on request Scaler Tips Self Seal Sterilisation Pouches K Files Buy 1 get 1 Free!!! Pack of 6 from only £2.99 Tray Lining Paper - Standard Size - Mini size (fold in half) From only £3.75 Buy 2 and get 1 FREE ! on all sizes* NEW large size Fits a standard size Instrument Tray !! Order 5 and get 5 FREE Print Plus™ Alginate 500g Dental Tribune - A4 Advert - September 13 .indd 1 04/09/2013 08:58 United Kingdom Edition October 2013 3News cial footing for the Association. “The changes were made after years of research and en- gagement with members. The new membership packages re- spond to what dentists have told us they want. “They are also flexible. Mem- bers can trade up to a higher package if they realise they need a higher level of service and we see them doing exactly that. “With new members joining and current ones upgrading eve- ry day it is not possible to form a definitive picture of the profile of BDA membership yet, and the detailed analysis of members’ usage of services prior to the im- plementation of the new struc- ture suggests that there will be lots more movement before that picture does properly emerge. “The implementation of a new business model brings challenges for any business and the BDA is no exception. The BDA’s senior management team has looked at the out turn and thought carefully about what changes are needed to respond to members’ decisions. It has moved quickly to implement a new financial model and is also consulting on changes to the deployment and headcount of its staff resource. Unfortunately, that will mean redundancies in some areas. Members can be as- sured that services will be pro- tected. “The changes were neces- sary and have been made after thorough research, careful con- sideration and dialogue with members. The BDA’s elected representatives – including the Executive Board and Repre- sentative Body; the bodies super- seded by the PEC in 2012, and latterly the PEC itself – endorsed the changes. “Like any democratic organi- sation the BDA is a crucible for different opinions and interests and has formal decision-making mechanisms through which they are debated and reconciled. In- evitably, with an issue as impor- tant as the operation of the Asso- ciation, views come to the fore. “One of the mechanisms for the exchange of views is the BDA committees and councils repre- senting dentists working in dif- ferent dental crafts and the four UK countries and we are com- mitted to ensuring these bodies are kept fully informed. Many of them are scheduled to meet dur- ing the autumn and are being updated as they do, but contrary to reports, no EGM of the UK Council has been scheduled.” DT page 1DTß H ello and w e l c o m e to this month’s issue of Den- tal Tribune. This month pro- fession and industry alike are gearing up for one of the biggest events in the dental calendar – BDTA Dental Show- case. Held this year in Birming- ham October 17-19th, visitors have a multitude of stands and lectures to choose from relat- ing to all aspects of dentistry including running the practice, clinical topics and education. I think we know one stand which may be extremely pop- ular this year – that would be the BDA’s stand (K04). With all the news, rumours and rheto- ric that has been circulating the organisation since the an- nouncement of the new three tier membership system and the seeming failure of that system to ignite the interest of the profession, no doubt many members and non-members alike will be flocking to speak with the team. We will be based on Stand H01 – do come and say hello. DT