GDC Boss Hails The Regulator's Progress On Access
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- Published: Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:02
- Written by Guy Tuggle
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The Chief Executive of the General Dental Council (GDC) Tom Whiting has lent his support to the Association of Dental Group‘s (ADG) ‘Patients First‘ report.
The ADG is a trade association for dental groups with more than ten practices. Its report, launched on 11th September, contains seven recommendations which the group says would improve access to dental services.
In his address, Mr Whiting told the ADG that although he had only been in post for three months, he was able to confirm that the GDC was responding to criticisms that its past processes had obstructed speedy registration.
Whilst emphasising that the "our most important responsibility is to maintain the register" Mr Whiting added that the GDC also had "an essential role in making dentistry work in the UK."
“Our research highlights significant barriers to accessing dental services, especially within the NHS. The public report difficulties in booking regular appointments, particularly affecting younger people, those from ethnic minorities, and people living in urban areas. None of that is news to people in this room" Mr Whiting said..
Since the publication of the Health & Social Care Committee’s Inquiry into NHS Dentistry last year, the GDC had gathered vital data about the workforce.
"We gathered data about the working patterns of dental professionals, which includes where and how they work and whether they deliver NHS or private care" said Whiting.
"We shared that data gathered from dentists in March 2024, and we will publish data from dental care professionals in the autumn. My thanks have already gone to the BDA and others for encouraging participation in gathering that information."
42% of dentists work less than 30 hour per week.
The GDC’s Chief Executive told the ADG event "There are around 45,000 dentists registered to practise in the UK. Around one third fully or predominantly deliver private care and around 42 per cent are fully or predominantly delivering NHS care.
Forty-two per cent of dentists work less than 30 hour per week.
Greater Use of Team Skills
“The second recommendation we have acted on is to support the full use of the skills of the whole dental team" Mr Whiting confirmed.
"We welcomed the government’s proposals to allow dental hygienists and dental therapists across the UK to legally supply and administer specific prescription-only medicines, without the need for a dentist’s prescription."
Speeding Up International Registration
Over many years the GDC attracted criticism for its slow processing of applications from overseas clinicians.
Mr Whiting confirmed that "to speed up changes to the process of international registration for new applicants seeking to work in the NHS, we used legislation changes in 2023 to increase capacity in the route for overseas qualified dental professionals to register to practise in the UK.
“Only half of new dentists being registered last year trained in the UK. Most of the rest – 40 per cent of the total – registered on the basis of European qualifications. And the final 10 per cent passed our Overseas Registration Examination – the ORE – to show that they meet the standards we require.
"Around two thirds of those sitting the ORE pass" said Mr Whiting.
The Chief Executive spoke about the wider strategic issues of recruiting from overseas and these will be reported in a follow up news item.
Looking forward, Mr Whiting said "there’s a real need to modernise the legislation we work under – so that we can protect patients and support dental professionals effectively."
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