GDC acts on ‘direct-to-consumer orthodontics’
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- Published: Tuesday, 25 February 2020 08:52
- Written by News Editor
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The BDA has welcomed the GDC’s call for evidence on the risk presented by remote orthodontic providers, such as SmileDirectClub, and urged the regulator to engage with the growing weight of evidence emerging overseas. The GDC has said they are ‘aware’ of a number of organisations offering services remotely which could constitute dentistry as defined in law, including the growth in ‘direct-to-consumer orthodontics’.
The BDA has raised concerns over the status of remote provision – that offer patients plastic aligners based on a 3D scan of their mouths or via an impression taken from at-home moulding kits - with health watchdogs the Care Quality Commission and GDC in summer 2019.
The regulator has now accepted that remote orthodontic work falls within the practice of dentistry and noted reports of remote providers offering services without face-to-face patient contact with a dental registrant, a legal requirement under the Dentists Act 1984. The GDC emphasised that for all dental interventions "this important interaction between clinician and patient should take place at the beginning of the patient consultation." It indicated its willingness to gather evidence on potential harm.
Dentists have stressed the risk of misdiagnosis and lack of informed consent in the absence of face to face consultations throughout the course of treatment.
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong said: "The GDC’s willingness to acknowledge deeply felt concerns from across this profession is welcome progress but there are still many questions left unanswered. We want to see patients receive high quality care, after a sound diagnosis, based on informed consent. Direct-to-consumer orthodontics appears to fly in the face of these principles. We understand the GDC’s need to gather evidence but it should be willing to reflect on the wealth of evidence building overseas. We shouldn’t have to wait until UK patients are left with irreparably damaged mouths and undiagnosed oral disease, resulting in lost teeth or worse."
In its statement, the GDC said: “We are continuing to gather evidence about the potential risk of harm to patients from ‘direct-to-consumer orthodontics’ and other forms of dental care offered remotely. We have contacted providers of these services to seek clarification on the procedures they follow and how GDC registrants may be involved. In parallel, we continue to welcome further advice and information from the dental professions.”
They concluded: “We will issue a further statement when we have evaluated the evidence we are gathering. Until further guidance is available, dental professionals are reminded that they must consult their indemnity providers should they need further advice. Complaints received relating to these matters will continue to be addressed through our existing processes.”
Link to GDC statement: https://www.gdc-uk.org/news-blogs/news/detail/2020/02/24/providing-dental-care-remotely
Link to BDA press release: https://www.bda.org/news-centre/press-releases/Pages/Remote-orthodontics-BDA-welcomes-call-for-evidence-on-risk-to-patients.aspx
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