How to avoid becoming a statistic

09 September 2015
Volume 31 · Issue 6

With almost 5,000 complaints to the General Dental Council (GDC) and the Dental Complaints Service in the past year, dentists are understandably anxious about receiving a complaint.

In addition, a Dental Protection survey of over 700 dental members earlier this year revealed that 72 per cent of respondents are fearful of being sued by patients, with this fear impacting on the way 81 per cent practise dentistry.

Although the chances of erasure by the GDC are very slim, the distressing impact of an investigation can be devastating to a practitioner. A separate survey by Dental Protection questioning those who have been investigated by the GDC found that 33 per cent contemplated leaving the profession because of the experience.

Senior dento-legal advisers at Dental Protection, Sue Boynton and Stephen Henderson, are presenting the annual Horizons Roadshow in September to explain what happens when dentists receive a claim and what they can do to reduce their risk. Real life case examples will be explored and the impact of the GDC’s current reform of Fitness to Practise procedures will also be discussed.

An interactive session will be held in London on September 10.

Kevin Lewis, Dental Director at Dental Protection said:“Dentists are currently working in the most hostile claims and regulatory environment we have seen, and as a result, the chance of receiving a GDC complaint has never been greater. In fact, the GDC has reported that the number of complaints reaching them has doubled in the past four years. More and more of these complaints are unrelated to clinical dentistry, so even the best dentists can still find themselves challenged by the GDC.

“Dental Protection has vast experience dealing with claims and the GDC. Our Horizons Roadshow provides an opportunity to find out about the pitfalls that can lead to claims and regulatory investigations and how to avoid becoming one of the unwelcome statistics.”

For further information or if you would like to attend the London event, please contact Shannon Darling on 0207 399 1319 or email shannon.darling@medicalprotection.org