In response to the growing number of cases of online purchases of ‘dodgy’ dental devices, instruments and equipment, the BDIA has launched its Counterfeit and Substandard Instruments and Devices Initiative (CsIDI).
The initiative is an industry wide activity to promote awareness of the dangers of poor quality, counterfeit and illegal dental instruments and devices, provide a quick and simple method of reporting these to the relevant bodies and promote purchasing only from reputable manufacturers and suppliers.
The massive growth of internet sales channels and globalisation of dental manufacturing has, unfortunately, provided a tremendous opportunity for unscrupulous operators to sell poor quality, substandard or even counterfeit
or illegal products. In light of this, it is now more important than ever for
dental professionals to purchase from sources that ensure quality and efficacy.
In recent months there have been well publicised incidents of defective handpieces, curing lights and dangerous and faulty equipment causing harm to users and there are some very suspect instruments and probes for sale on popular internet trading sites. This, coupled with some rather concerning posts on various dental forums, has encouraged the industry to launch its new initiative.
Tony Reed, executive director of the BDIA, comments: “By purchasing only from reputable suppliers the end user can be assured of a high quality product that meets all the necessary requirements and that will not endanger the user or the patient, nor risk punitive actions from the courts or regulatory bodies.”
Working closely with the BDA, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) and the Tooth Whitening Information Group (TWIG), and the dental profession, the BDIA aims to encourage the reporting of those selling substandard and illegal products and promote responsible purchasing throughout the dental supply chain.
With patient and practice safety at the heart of the CsIDI, the overall concept is straightforward, encouraging dentists and DCPs to report any issues of dodgy dental products to the relevant authorities through a simple, dedicated web page on the BDIA website (www.bdia.org.uk) and to only purchase through reputable suppliers, such as BDIA members. The CsIDI webpage facilities this direct reporting as well as providing links to very comprehensive information available from the MHRA.
Tracy Murray, head of regulatory affairs, compliance and enforcement at MHRA, comments: “Working closely with the BDIA to raise awareness of counterfeit and substandard devices and to report incidents is a major step in addressing this growing problem across the dental sector.”
The initiative also has its sights set on illegal tooth whitening and the issues
associated with prohibited activity and product sales. Again, the CsIDI web page will allow the reporting of suspected inappropriate whitening activity and products through to TWIG.
Reporting can be done via the simple procedures on the BDIA website, or through existing channels, and the BDIA urges all dental staff to consider this going forward.
The BDIA’s president, Terry Porter, sums up the initiative by saying: “I would urge all dental practices and buyers to purchase through a reputable source and be wary of equipment offered at knock down prices. The message is simple, cheap usually is cheap for a reason and the BDIA recommends that all purchases, however small, are made from a reputable supplier and all suspect instruments and devices are reported to the appropriate authorities.”